A report published by the Office for National Statistics shone a spotlight on domestic abuse and how it surged during lockdown – here’s how you can support your local domestic abuse service.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been increased demand for domestic abuse victim services, especially use of helpline services while other vital help and support has been impossible to access, such as the ability to leave the home or attend counselling.
“I suffered horrendous abuse and violence at the hands of my perpetrator and spent the first half of lockdown in a refuge. Without RISE I wouldn’t be here today.” – RISE service user
RISE, Brighton’s domestic abuse charity, has consistently received over three times the number of calls to its helpline than before lockdown.
Although there was a marked increase of reported abuse cases over the course of lockdown, this also follows a gradual increase in domestic abuse-related offences over recent years, illustrating how vital services for survivors continue to be.
This year, RISE is pulling out all the stops to hold its annual fundraising event: its signature 8K Undercliff Run for Women. This will be welcome news for runners, who have seen most mass participation events cancelled since the government announced the national lockdown in March last year.
In fact, RISE is confident that the race, taking place on Sunday 3rd October between Saltdean to Brighton Marina and back, will be one of the City’s first post-covid events! With only 500 places available it is expected to sell out, so don’t miss out!
RISE has been closely following the advice of Public Health England and Run Britain and United Kingdom Athletics to ensure the event will be Covid safe, including social distancing onsite, volunteer PPE, and a pulsed start of five runners at a time. For more information about entering and the safety measures in place, visit RISE 8K
Marcella James, a service user of RISE, told us “I suffered horrendous abuse and violence at the hands of my perpetrator and spent the first half of lockdown in a refuge. Without RISE I wouldn’t be here today, so it’s brilliant news that the 8K Undercliff Run for Women is going ahead this year, to raise money for their vital service.”
For more information and to take part, visit https://www.riseuk.org.uk/rise8k
About RISE:
- RISE stands for refuge, information, support and education
- In 2019, RISE provided refuge to 90 people – 53 adults and 37 children.
- RISE was founded in 1994 and supports women, children and young people in Brighton & Hove and West Sussex who are affected by domestic abuse
- RISE services include advocacy, helpline, counselling, support groups, legal and housing advice and children’s services
- RISE’s LGBTQ+ service for survivors of domestic abuse was the first in England
- For more information, visit www.riseuk.org.uk
About the 8K Undercliff Run for Women:
- The run will take place on Sunday 3rd October 2021, near the Whitecliffs Café on the Saltdean Undercliff
- Entry is £25
- If the physical event has to be cancelled due to Covid developments, the charity is offering a £10 refund and the opportunity to take part in a virtual race
- The closing date to sign up is 23rd September, and we will be offering 10% off entry fees during the first two weeks of August.
- The event aims to raise £25,000 to support domestic abuse services in Brighton & Hove
