Midwives temporarily housed here at Eton College have shone a spotlight on the devastating and increasing number of incidents of domestic abuse reported by those within the maternity and neonatal wards at Wexham Park Hospital. When Hazel asked them how we could support, they were quick to deflect all help to the pregnant women and their children whom the midwives care for.

I contacted a local charity who offer direct support to Wexham Park Hospital. The Dash Charity supports all those affected by domestic abuse by ‘delivering a range of specialist services that break the cycle of abuse enabling individuals and families to thrive’. Their support from the government is ‘tiny’, so if donations do  not come in, they can not provide the help and support that is so desperately needed.

Lockdown for these vulnerable, pregnant women and their children has meant they have literally been locked inside with their perpetrators. Numbers of reported cases have soared and a further escalation Is expected as lockdown eases and these women find ways to reach out and speak up.

Thank you for reading, listening and caring, Natalie.