Award-winning singer-songwriter Self Esteem, aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor, has partnered with domestic abuse charity, Solace Women’s Aid, for a Christmas awareness and fundraising appeal.
Solace Women’s Aid is a leading charity in the UK which supports women and children experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence. It’s Christmas 2022 appeal, 7 Years of Christmas, highlights how it takes a woman on average seven years to leave an abusive relationship.
7 Years of Christmas Appeal
The animated short film follows ‘Maya’ over seven years of Christmas and features an accompanying track by Self Esteem, which is a rewritten version of the classic song ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’. Self Esteem is herself an active campaigner against gender-based abuse and violence.
Solace supports 30,000 women each year in London alone
This Christmas, Solace will be supporting over 300 women and children in their refuges, as well as continuing to run their many varied services, from advice to rape crisis to therapeutic services aimed at helping women and their families recover from the trauma of abuse.
The charity supports nearly 30,000 women each year in London alone, and says that not only have calls become more complex since the pandemic, but now both service users and workers are concerned by the escalating cost of living crisis.
“No-one should experience violence for 1 day, let alone 7 years”
Judith Banjoko, Interim CEO of Solace, commented: “Solace have been supporting women and girls in London for nearly fifty years. We know how difficult it can be to leave an abusive relationship. No one should experience violence for 1 day let alone 7 years. From financial barriers and housing issues to coercive control and fear of death, there are so many reasons women don’t feel able to leave abusive relationships.
“With the cost-of-living crisis and the impact of the pandemic still being felt, we worry that even more women will be making the potentially fatal decision to stay with an abuser, as the idea of surviving alone is just as terrifying.
“Over half of survivors have had essential resources restricted by their abuser. We want to show them that they are not alone, we’re here to offer support and help when they are ready.”
Find out more about the campaign at solacewomensaid.org.