Bystanders must be supported to take action when they fear domestic abuse

Our Co-Director Sarah Green has today (24th June) signed a joint statement calling for all bystanders – whether neighbours or strangers  – to take action if they think someone’s safety is threatened. She spoke on Woman’s Hour to explain more (listen here). 

“The weekend has been full of comment about the relationship we have with our neighbours.

“It’s not for us to judge what happens in anyone’s relationship, but it is for us all to take action if we are concerned about someone’s safety. That’s a natural human instinct. Let’s support it rather than challenge it.

“Don’t walk on by if you are worried. Ask if they are ok. Tell someone. Call the police.”

Signed  by:

Suzanne Jacob, Chief Executive, SafeLives

Isabel Boyer, Chair of Trustees, SafeLives

Nicole Jacobs, Chief Executive, Standing Together Against Domestic Violence

Frank Mullane, Chief Executive, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse)

Sarah Green, Co-Director, End Violence Against Women

Gudrun Burnet, Co-Founder, Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance

Kelly Henderson, Co-Founder, Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance

Sam Smethers, Chief Executive, Fawcett Society

Jemima Olchawski, Chief Executive, Agenda

Nicola Sharp-Jeffs, Founder and Director, Surviving Economic Abuse

Mary Mason, Chief Executive, Solace Women’s Aid

Nicki Norman, Acting Co-Chief Executive, Women’s Aid Federation of England

Pragna Patel, Director, Southall Black Sisters

If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are not in immediate danger, you can call the Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (run in partnership by Women’s Aid and Refuge).