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Notices and Press Releases

Refuge : Early Warning Signs campaign

With two women being killed every week in England and Wales by a current of former partner, national domestic violence charity Refuge has launched a hard hitting early warning signs domestic violence campaign to save lives. The early warning signs campaign launched in the press on 05/08/08 and on poster sites later this month(*).

Domestic violence is the biggest social issue affecting women in the country today - it is an issue which not only takes lives but ruins lives in great number. Refuge’s campaign will help women recognise the early warning signs of domestic violence and in so doing prevent them from a life time of abuse.

Research, also released by Refuge, highlights a worrying lack of awareness amongst women of the techniques used by violent men to control women. However, domestic violence is a subject matter that young women are crying out to learn more about.

The research shows that:

• 81% of women said they received no information about domestic violence when they were at school and yet nearly all of them would have liked to have had lessons about domestic violence as they saw the subject as important
• 95% of respondents recognised physical abuse as domestic violence but only a quarter of respondents understood the more subtle techniques of control such as jealousy and possessiveness as indicators of domestic violence
• And yet approximately a quarter of all the women questioned had experienced jealousy and possessiveness in an intimate partner relationship
• 50% of respondents said they had experienced at least one of the warning signs
• Of this 50% only one fifth of respondents said they would talk to someone about the abuse - and if they were to talk to someone about their experiences, friends followed by family, were the most trusted confidantes

Sandra Horley, OBE and chief executive of Refuge, says:

"Two women are killed every week by a current or former partner. This is a huge statistic and one that we need to start addressing - and addressing fast if we're to save lives and protect young women in the future.

"It is essential that women receive the right education and information so they can understand the techniques of control frequently used by abusive men. It's all too easy for women to excuse their partner's possessive and jealous behaviour - but in so doing they run the risk of the abuse increasing in frequency and severity over time. By understanding the signs early a woman is forewarned and forearmed.

"I am heartened to see that so many women would welcome this vital education. Refuge urges the government to put domestic violence education and awareness as a top priority - and in so doing we will save lives."

Refuge's early warning signs campaign is being supported by a number of high profile individuals.

(*) Refuge’s domestic violence early warning signs campaign has been undertaken free of charge – all creative, media and media spaces have been donated. View the advertisement.

See Additional information about the early warning signs of domestic violence