That's 750,000 children who have to live with the legacy and trauma of abuse every year.
"From as young as I can remember I witnessed my father abuse, threaten and intimidate my mum; my brother, mother and I lived in daily fear and terror," Amanda — not her real name — told charity, Refuge.
In the UK, 750,000 children experience domestic violence every year. Watch our video and #givethemrefuge https://t.co/goaauDDdSH
— Refuge (@RefugeCharity) August 17, 2016
"It was only after a frantic phone call I had with my father that I knew he would fulfil his threat to 'smash her brains against the wall' and kill my mother."
Amanda was ten years old when she witnessed her mother being abused. The family escaped to a woman's refuge where they were given safety, anonymity and chance to rebuild their lives.
"I'm 22 now. Even today I look back and thank my lucky stars that we were able to access support from Refuge."
The UK parliament is still in summer recess; the politicians are enjoying their vacations in a period what's known in British media as "silly season."
However, the statistics revealed once again by women's charity Refuge are no laughing matter.
Yet despite the lack of political news making the media's agenda, a British MP has made headlines following his arrest on holiday in Spain on domestic abuse allegations.
MP Simon Danczuk 'did not hit wife Karen in Spain and was not drunk'https://t.co/a1s8vq9utW
— Manchester News MEN (@MENnewsdesk) August 16, 2016
However Simon Danczuck, the Labour MP, walked free form a Spanish court following his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence after an incident that left his wife needing hospital treatment.
So #Simon Danczuk source says he was not drunk & did not hit his wife. Umh so what caused him to be arrested & his wife go to hospital?
— Mark Williams-Thomas (@mwilliamsthomas) August 17, 2016
Meanwhile, Hollywood couple Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have agreed on an out of court divorce settlement following a separation embroiled in allegations of domestic abuse.
In court papers filed by A-lister Amber Heard, she accused Depp of being physically violence during their four year relationship. Heard said Depp had a "history of drug and alcohol abuse" and had been "verbally and physically abusive" for all of their four-year-relationship.
#Gossip #Buzz: Amber Heard is a no-show to her deposition against Jonny Depp https://t.co/EYik2iauB0 pic.twitter.com/7tDsk8KQIE
— Pamela McBroom (@PamelaMcBroom) August 7, 2016
Actor Jonny Depp strongly denies all accusations. The couple has since reached an out of court agreement with Heard reportedly settling for US$ 10 million. The actress is said to be donating the majority of the money to charity.
It bothers me that everyone would rather believe that Amber Heard is divorcing Jonny Depp for his money than believe he abused her.
— becca fay ♡♡ (@chewbeccaa_) August 17, 2016
#Givethemrefuge is a campaign being led by women's charity Refuge to highlight the plight of the thousands of children in the UK who are living with the legacy of domestic abuse; and a plea for more donations to preserve the services it provides.
One in five children in the UK witness domestic violence every year #givethemrefuge
— Refuge (@RefugeCharity) January 15, 2016
In response to the UK government's Violence Against Women and Girls strategy and a pledge of US$104 million for the domestic abuse sector announced in March 2016, Sandra Horley chief executive of Refuge said:
"Refuge welcomes the US$104 million of funding….however when you take into account the gaping hole left by year-on-year reductions in funding from local authorities, it is clear this will not bridge the gaps nor bring back the services which have been wiped out in recent years."
"Since 2011, Refuge has experienced cuts to 80 percent of its services, with some being cut by up to 50 percent. Domestic violence costs this country almost US$20 billion a year. If we are ever to see a reduction in that cost, the government needs to plough investment into the domestic violence sector," Horley said.
