Many women dread Christmas time, when abuse can become intensified due to heightened stress, financial pressure and increased alcohol consumption. Women can be prevented from seeing family or friends, be financially controlled and feel isolated at home. They may be living in fear and control, experiencing harassment, threats or intimidation, rape and physical violence at the hands of their partners or family members.

Cardiff Women's Aid is a registered charity committed to ending violence against women and girls and supporting survivors of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV). With two women killed every week by a partner or ex-partner in England and Wales (ONS, 2019), for many women, this Christmas will be harder than you could imagine.

This Christmas Cardiff Women's Aid will continue to support survivors and their children in Cardiff and the surrounding areas by providing essential items, aftercare and a warm, safe space in emergency accommodation. We would also love to provide survivors and their families with some Christmas items, but we need your support to make this possible.

The Covid-19 pandemic this year has shown a significant rise in domestic abuse related incidents, and Christmas time will not be exempt from this rise. It is an incredibly difficult time for the thousands of women and children in Wales living with domestic or sexual abuse and we are appealing for YOUR support this Christmas.

Your donations this Christmas will help us to support women like Priya*, who came to our refuge with her two children last December.

Priyas ex-partner became controlling, manipulative and both physically and emotionally abusive to Priya, which has had a huge impact on her mental wellbeing. Thanks to your support, Priya was able to access somewhere safe and warm to live with her children last Christmas. Cardiff Womens Aid has continued to give Priya the emotional support she needs, enabling her to settle into a new permanent home for her and her children and rebuild their lives.

*Name changed to protect her identity.