Refuge (United Kingdom charity)
Encyclopedia
Refuge is a United Kingdom
charity providing support for female victims of domestic violence
. Its main service is to maintain a national network of safe houses (refuges
) to provide emergency accommodation for women and children, while it also provides outreach services for victims in the home, and operates the Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline
in partnership with Women's Aid.
The organisation was founded in 1971 as Chiswick Women’s Aid, by Erin Pizzey
. It opened the world’s first refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence, in Chiswick
, west London
. In 1979 the organisation became a registered charity, changing it's name to "Chiswick Family Rescue". In 1993, the charity changed its name to Refuge, reflecting its growing national status. This followed a funding crisis in 1992 when the charity faced closure, before Sandra Horley made a personal appeal to Diana, Princess of Wales
who made a donation and several private visits to the charity's shelters, raising its profile.
In 1997 three of the charity's trustees resigned in a controversy over one of their number's links to a group associated with false memory syndrome. In 1999, Sheryl Gascoigne launched a campaign for Refuge, after her high profile divorce in 1998 following domestic violence at the hands of footballer Paul Gascoigne
.
In 2007, English actor Patrick Stewart
was appointed the charity's patron, having witnessed his own mother fall victim to domestic violence during his childhood. In 2009 Refuge conducted a television campaign titled 4 Ways To Speak Out in partnership with the cosmetics company Avon
.
In 2010 Refuge had an income of £10,284,785. The funding is mostly from uk taxpayers via the home office and local councils. In 2009 a member of staff pocketed over £190,000 p.a. with employer pension contributions to the highest paid staff of over £70,000.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
charity providing support for female victims of domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
. Its main service is to maintain a national network of safe houses (refuges
Women's shelter
A women's shelter is a place of temporary refuge and support for women escaping violent or abusive situations, such as rape, and domestic violence....
) to provide emergency accommodation for women and children, while it also provides outreach services for victims in the home, and operates the Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline
Helpline
A helpline was originally a telephone service which offers help to those who call. Many helpline services now offer more than telephone support - offering access to information, advice or customer service via telephone, email, web or SMS....
in partnership with Women's Aid.
The organisation was founded in 1971 as Chiswick Women’s Aid, by Erin Pizzey
Erin Pizzey
Erin Patria Margaret Pizzey is a British family care activist and a best-selling novelist. She became internationally famous for having started one of the first Women's refuges in the modern world, Chiswick Women's Aid, in 1971, the organisation known today as Refuge...
. It opened the world’s first refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence, in Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
, west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. In 1979 the organisation became a registered charity, changing it's name to "Chiswick Family Rescue". In 1993, the charity changed its name to Refuge, reflecting its growing national status. This followed a funding crisis in 1992 when the charity faced closure, before Sandra Horley made a personal appeal to Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
who made a donation and several private visits to the charity's shelters, raising its profile.
In 1997 three of the charity's trustees resigned in a controversy over one of their number's links to a group associated with false memory syndrome. In 1999, Sheryl Gascoigne launched a campaign for Refuge, after her high profile divorce in 1998 following domestic violence at the hands of footballer Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne
Paul John Gascoigne , commonly referred to as Gazza, is a retired English professional footballer.Playing in the position of midfield, Gascoigne's career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and Gansu Tianma, where he scored at least a goal...
.
In 2007, English actor Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart
Sir Patrick Hewes Stewart, OBE is an English film, television and stage actor, who has had a distinguished career in theatre and television for around half a century...
was appointed the charity's patron, having witnessed his own mother fall victim to domestic violence during his childhood. In 2009 Refuge conducted a television campaign titled 4 Ways To Speak Out in partnership with the cosmetics company Avon
Avon Products
Avon Products, Inc. is a US cosmetics, perfume and toy seller with markets in over 140 countries across the world and sales of $9.9 billion worldwide as of 2007.-Business Model:...
.
In 2010 Refuge had an income of £10,284,785. The funding is mostly from uk taxpayers via the home office and local councils. In 2009 a member of staff pocketed over £190,000 p.a. with employer pension contributions to the highest paid staff of over £70,000.