Guest Blog | Rosemary Cook CBE, CEO of Kyra Women’s Project
There has been a lot of focus on violence against women this year. We know that two women a week are killed by a partner or former partner; and almost 1 in 3 women will experience domestic abuse. But in March, it was the killing of Sarah Everard by a stranger that attracted most attention, particularly as it came just days before International Women’s Day. This was rightly followed by reminders from women’s groups that many other women have died before and since, killed by their partners or by strangers.
At Kyra, we share the anger and sadness of these killings and support every action aimed at creating a safer environment for women. But we are also acutely aware that there is a huge amount of work to be done for the survivors of domestic abuse. Just surviving, getting away, being re-housed and building a new life does not mean the abuse is over and forgotten. The damage runs deep and we see it in the depression, anxiety, trauma and loss of confidence that many Kyra members display. Our services aim to help women become ‘the woman they were meant to be’ – and for those who are survivors of domestic abuse, that can seem an impossible ambition. But through courses and activities designed to address these specific issues, women do make progress at Kyra.
The nationally-designed Freedom Course in particular helps them understand the mind of the perpetrator, why abuse happens and how to recognise the signs and make safer relationship choices in future. We are proud to be the sole provider of this course locally. It is a regular offering at Kyra, with hundreds of women having already completed the course, and many more set to do so as part of our National Lottery-funded Route to Recovery project.
For this campaign, 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence, we really want to raise awareness of the fact that domestic violence can last a lifetime even for survivors; and that help for survivors to heal the mental and emotional wounds is absolutely vital.
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Author: Rosemary Cook
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Support Available:
- Kyra | Email contact@kyra.org.uk.
- IDAS | 03000 110 110
- Survive | 0808 145 1887
- Respect – Men’s Advice Line | 0808 8010327
- ManKind Initiative | 01823 334244
- Survivors UK | Chat via SMS text 020 3322 1860
- Victim Support | 08 08 16 89 111
- Refuge | 0808 2000 247
- SupportLine | 01708 765200
- The National Domestic Abuse Helpline | 0808 2000 247
- If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.
- If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be an abuser, there is support available. The Respect Phoneline is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who are harming their partners and families: 0808 802 4040.
