It is a shocking fact that one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Many women are too afraid to speak out about the abuse that they have suffered, and we believe that this silence must stop. Since Funny Women began, over 10 years ago, we have worked with a number of charities to help women rebuild their lives after living through emotional and physical abuse, all under the banner of our mission statement ‘laughing about life to help and heal women.’
We are therefore very pleased to announce that in 2013 we will be teaming up with our Main Funny Women Award sponsor, Benefit Cosmetics, and the charity, Refuge, to help build awareness of issues surrounding domestic violence and raise vital funds. Refuge is a national charity that not only provides safe-houses for women and children to escape the cycle of domestic violence, it also does vital outreach work to communities, and provides a unique service dealing with all forms of gender violence: including domestic, sexual violence, stalking, trafficking, prostitution, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based violence.
All fundraising carried out at the 2013 Funny Women Awards will go to Refuge, £1 from each Awards registration fee, and proceeds from the Funny Women Awards Final at London’s Leicester Square Theatre will be donated to the charity. Isobel Matheson, producer of the 2013 Funny Women Awards said: “We are delighted to be raising money and awareness for Refuge this year as part of our on-going commitment to supporting the vital work of women’s charities.”
If you want to support Refuge before the Awards get going (we’ll be announcing something very soon!) then we’ve got just the thing. Refuge has teamed up with Hot Diamonds to create a gorgeous piece of jewellery anyone would be proud wearing. Crafted in sterling silver and set with a single diamond, the brooch also boasts a rare pink sapphire, said to offer the wearer protection and good luck. 25% of the sale of the brooch will be donated to the charity. To order your brooch click HERE.
Anna Larke, the girlfriend of Justin Lee Collins who bravely spoke up about the abuse she suffered is Refuge’s latest ambassador, attended the launch of the Hot Diamonds brooch before Christmas. To read about her experience and the work that she will be doing with Refuge, click HERE to read the article in the Independent. We’ll be working with Anna going forward in 2013 – keep your eyes peeled for announcements!
Pictured top to bottom: Hot Diamonds special edition brooch for Refuge and Anna Larke.
