Through 2014/15/16 domestic abuse has been portrayed on the longest running soap opera in the UK. BBC Radio 4's The Archers. A fictional character, Helen Titchener was being abused, subtly at first, then more obviously.

Sexual and violent abuse were hinted at, but psychological abuse was so accurately portrayed and well written, that it has been upsetting for many real women who are listening. Women who recognise from their own personal experiences how realistic it is. It is not fiction for them.  The storyline was written to coincide with the new law against coercive control in December 2015.

On April 4th, 2016, the storyline escalated and Helen has been charged with attempted murder. 

This week it appears that domestic abuse has become the favourite subject of all media outlets. The subject is being talked about from all angles and the loss of services for abused women has been further highlighted.

Domestic abuse is not only for fictional stories. It is real and happening in all communities. Women are being manipulated, hurt and killed every day. Children are damaged and families broken.  Present statistics show that: An estimated 4.6 million women in England and Wales have experienced domestic abuse since the age of sixteen. One in seven children and young people under the age of 18 will have experienced living with domestic violence. In England and Wales two women on average are killed each week by their partner or ex-partner. The most dangerous time for a woman is when she is trying to escape from her abuser. From Women's Aid Charity. http://www.womensaid.org.uk

Domestic abuse is a hidden crime. and across the social spectrum. Money, intelligence and status do not stop domestic abuse. Sometimes, it makes it more hidden. Government cuts are affecting the services offered to women and families experiencing abuse. It will only make the problem worse.  Cuts to the services offered can only mean more women and children who are hurt and damaged. Sometimes permanently. 

Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) www.sigbi.org is part of a worldwide organisation for women. Women who help other women and children in their local communities and worldwide.  Soroptimist International has 16 UN Representatives who work across 6 UN Centres to ensure that the voices of women and girls around the world are included in international decision making. This work is driven by Soroptimist projects. SIGBI are running a project called Operation Stella, highlighting the work being carried out by Soroptimist Club members in local communities to help abused women and children. This petition was initially run from Friday November 13th to Thursday, December 10th, 2015, Human Rights Day. It included Wednesday, November 25th, 2015, the UN Day for Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of 16 days of activism.

Due to the extraordinary media interest in The Archers programme and domestic abuse storyline, SIGBI are again highlighting this petition. Domestic abuse will be happening to someone you in your workplace, neighbourhood, family and social group.  Please help them by signing this petition to stop further cuts to the services available for them. Thank You. Soroptimist International Yorkshire Region April 7th, 2016.