Are you getting fit this lockdown? Just looking for something to do? Wondering how you can help victims of abuse in this most challenging time? How about a 5K in aid of The Dash Charity?

The Black Park in Slough has a 5K run which is (almost!) in the shape of a White Ribbon and would be the perfect run to do to raise funds and awareness for domestic abuse services. However any run of any length will work!

If you would like more details of the Black Park run, find the route via the parkrun website: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/blackpark/course/

White Ribbon Day is held every year on 25th November. It is an awareness day that promotes the end of violence e against women. As we know, domestic abuse has become more and more prevalent this year due to so many families being stuck inside their homes with abusers. We use White Ribbon Day each year to open a conversation about domestic abuse, as much of the violence against women that occurs in our society is from within the home. At Dash, during the first lockdown, referrals to our services doubled, and for children, tripled. The need for domestic abuse services has never been higher in the UK.

By commemorating White Ribbon day, you are making the promise to to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. This promise is something that shouldnt be taken lightly and should be backed up by action! So what will you do for White Ribbon Day? Will you commit to donate your coffee money to an organisation that directly supports people affected by this issue? Will you commit to learning more about domestic abuse and how much impact it has in the UK? Will you always challenge abusive behaviour when you see it in your day to day life? Will you run 5K to fundraise and raise awareness?

The Dash Charity (Domestic Abuse Stops Here) has supported women, men and children across Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead since 1976. We have grown, adapted and introduced specialist services through the years to meet the needs of victims of all forms of domestic abuse. Our services currently include:

Confidential telephone Helpline

Refuge crisis accommodation and access to a UK network of refuge space

Advocacy and Outreach community services offering practical help and emotional support to adults assessed as being at medium or high risk of harm

Specialist childrens therapeutic support for children and young people experiencing trauma as a result of domestic abuse

Training and awareness to reach out and encourage a better response to victims across organisations based in the Borough

In Windsor and Maidenhead, there were 2697 recorded incidents of domestic abuse last year - we supported a total of 1552 adults through our Helpdesk enquiries and 412 adults living locally through our Advocacy team.

Since the pandemic we have received a noteable increase in referrals through our Helpline and via our referral pathways to our Outreach and Advocacy Team. We have seen victims within our Refuges return home to their abuser as they struggle to cope with the impact of isolation due to stricter Coronavirus measures and victims continuing to come to our Refuge as they flee from their abusers. Many of our clients are already isolated from sources of support are experiencing poverty due to economic abuse and we know children are being exposed to more incidents of domestic abuse in the home.