Build a house, rebuild lives: back our campaign to help survivors of domestic abuse
The Independent|September 16, 2024
A chronic national shortage of safe spaces means a woman desperate to escape is turned away from a refuge every two hours across the country Getty/The Independent)
MAYA OPPENHEIM
Build a house, rebuild lives: back our campaign to help survivors of domestic abuse

Turning the lock and stepping into your own home should conjure up feelings of familiarity, safety and comfort but for domestic abuse victims, it is a starkly different place. Coming home to an abuser or hearing his key in the door routinely causes dread, distress and panic.

Never knowing when the next psychological, physical or sexual assault will come from is not only exhausting but terrifying. However, a chronic national shortage of safe spaces means a woman desperate to escape is turned away from a refuge every two hours across the country.

The Independent was so astounded by the dearth of provision that we were moved to take action – launching the Brick by Brick campaign alongside leading domestic abuse charity Refuge to raise £300,000 to build a safe house.

The haven will be a proper home in a secret location where women escaping abusive partners, together with their children or pets, can be liberated from their abuser to find security and freedom. In a groundbreaking move, this house will be the first of its kind to cater for an entire family for six months at a time, during which they will receive direct support from Refuge.

And just one £15 donation can lay a brick to build this muchneeded shelter.

Dame Joanna Lumley, Dame Helen Mirren, Olivia Colman and Sir Patrick Stewart are among the star-studded voices backing The Independent’s appeal, calling on people to donate to the cause.

Esta historia es de la edición September 16, 2024 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición September 16, 2024 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE INDEPENDENTVer todo
What can stop Verstappen winning fifth straight title?
The Independent

What can stop Verstappen winning fifth straight title?

It is rare that we learn fresh pieces of detail about drivers on the Formula One grid.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
Mo' money, mo' goals - why Salah is worth the gamble
The Independent

Mo' money, mo' goals - why Salah is worth the gamble

As clear and emphatic as Mohamed Salah’s words on Sunday were, something was still left unsaid.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
Guardiola: 'It will be a bad season by our standards'
The Independent

Guardiola: 'It will be a bad season by our standards'

But after five losses in a row, Man City's manager is defiant

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
West Ham hit Newcastle on counter to ease pressure
The Independent

West Ham hit Newcastle on counter to ease pressure

Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka combined to burst Newcastle’s bubble as West Ham handed under-pressure boss Julen Lopetegui breathing space with a priceless Premier League away win.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
Flood-proofing homes now will prevent future misery
The Independent

Flood-proofing homes now will prevent future misery

One thing most people would agree on: Britain urgently needs new homes.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
Chancellor has gone from cosying up to confrontation
The Independent

Chancellor has gone from cosying up to confrontation

Rachel Reeves urgently needs a new script – and some pizzazz.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
CBI boss warns Budget will mean fewer jobs are created
The Independent

CBI boss warns Budget will mean fewer jobs are created

Half of UK companies will cut jobs and two-thirds will recruit fewer staff, according to the boss of the UK's top business lobby group.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
Man who drugged wife in mass rape case should serve 20 years, say prosecutors
The Independent

Man who drugged wife in mass rape case should serve 20 years, say prosecutors

French prosecutors have sought a 20-year prison term for Dominique Pelicot, accusing him of facilitating the mass rape of his wife Gisele Pelicot by dozens of men, drugging her unconscious, and sharing pictures and videos of her sexual assault.

time-read
1 min  |
November 26, 2024
Thousands arrested at Khan protests as Pakistan capital put under police lockdown
The Independent

Thousands arrested at Khan protests as Pakistan capital put under police lockdown

Pakistani authorities arrested more than 4,000 supporters of Imran Khan, including five parliamentarians, ahead of a rally demanding the release of the former prime minister from prison, where he has been held for over a year.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
One dead after DHL cargo plane crashes in Lithuania
The Independent

One dead after DHL cargo plane crashes in Lithuania

A DHL cargo plane has crashed into a house near the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, killing at least one of four people on board.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 26, 2024