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Domestic abuse charity, Refuge, has already seen a positive impact on their support for individuals experiencing life-threatening abuse and violence, thanks to Freemasonry’s £200,000 grant.

Within the first six months of funding their national Helpline, the charity’s expert advisors and volunteers had, on average, 143 successful responses per day to individuals contacting their services, including:

• 19,360 telephone conversations
• 3,933 ‘live’ chats, speaking to individuals through a secure online platform
• 1,430 supportive emails

Of those supported via their Helpline, 69 per cent were survivors of domestic abuse, whilst nine per cent were concerned friends and family members. Eight per cent were professionals.

Over 1,000 women told the charity their partner had threatened to kill them; a risk made higher at the point of separation or just after leaving an abusive partner.

The Helpline team had 6,662 conversations with women about safety planning, 4,020 of which were specifically about leaving an abuser safely.  More than 2,500 referrals were also made to safe refuge accommodation.

The Helpline advisors are also there to listen, believe and validate women’s experiences:

• Emotional support was provided during 12,893 conversations
• Women were equipped with the information they needed during 18,987 conversations, and;
• Individuals were signposted to relevant and appropriate services for ongoing support in 14,934 conversations