About Refuge

What is domestic violence?

• Domestic violence is the abuse of one partner within an intimate or family relationship. This violence is often physical, but can also be sexual, psychological, financial or emotional. 
• The scale of domestic violence in the UK is staggering: one woman in four will experience it at some point in her lifetime. Sadly, this means that it is likely that we all know someone who has been, or will be, affected.
• Two women are killed by a current or former partner every week in England and Wales. 
• Children are victims too – in family households where domestic violence occurs, 90% of incidents happen when children are in the same or the next room, and 50% of these chldren are directly abused themselves.

What is Refuge?

• Since opening the world’s first refuge for women and children in Chiswick in 1971, Refuge has been at the forefront of the battle against domestic violence, and is currently the country’s largest single provider of specialist accommodation and support to women and children escaping domestic violence.
• Refuge saves lives, helping more than 1,000 women and children every day to escape violence and build a safe and positive future.
• As well as providing safe accomodation for women and children fleeing abuse, Refuge provides counselling for both women and children and emotional and pratical support and assistance for women moving out of a refuge and on with their lives, including assistance in accessing perminant housing, training and employment.
• Refuge is also involved in research, campaigns and lobbying to raise awareness of domestic violence, and to obtain better provision for its victims. Refuge is able to use its expertise and experience to influence political processes in the fight against domestic violence. 

Refuge is committed to a world where domestic violence is not tolerated or ignored and where women and children can live in safety.

Our history

In 1971, Refuge opened the world’s first refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence in Chiswick, London. It was a time when no-one talked about domestic violence, when what went on behind closed doors in every street was considered private, no-one's business. In setting up the safe house, Refuge challenged this assumption. For the first time, someone was publicly saying it was wrong to beat your partner. Refuge has led the campaign to end domestic violence ever since, impacting on domestic violence in a wide range of locations, from the individual household to the national government. 

Since 1971, Refuge has grown significantly, but this growth has not always been easy. Lack of funds has periodically been a serious challenge, leading the organisation to the brink of closure on several occasions. Fortunately, the organisation has survived its challenges to become the country’s largest single provider of specialist accommodation and support to women and children escaping domestic violence, helping more than 1,000 women and children every day. We also carry out research, and work closely alongside governmental and other policy forming bodies to ensure legislation and guidelines provide better provision and protection for women and children experiencing domestic violence. Today, Refuge continues to be the leading voice in the campaign to end domestic violence.