WOKINGHAM Rotary Club welcomed visiting speaker Vickie Robertson, founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope UK, to their recent meeting.
Vickie was there to explain how her Finchampstead-based charity supports survivors of domestic abuse and violence.
Ray Little from Wokingham Rotary Club was at the presentation, and keen to support the charity, he shares Vickie’s talk with Wokingham.Today.
“The burning issue at the moment seems to be the murder rate associated with women breaking out of violent relationships,” he said.
On average, Vickie told us, two female victims of domestic violence are murdered per week.
“But she also explained that for the first time the number of their suicides has overtaken that figure, with an average of three women domestic violence victims taking their lives every week.
“She told us that the most dangerous time for victim-survivors is after separation.
“Perpetrators want to retain control, and post separation abuse can continue long after the relationship ends.
“It’s now regarded as a crime, but what is needed is more prevention, protection, prosecution, and education.
“Perhaps if we looked at the root causes of violent behaviour and tackled them with early intervention and support, we might see a reduction, she told us.”
Ms. Robertson described to the group her own history of abuse, both as a child and as an adult in an abusive relationship, which led to her setting up Kaleidoscopic UK in 2019.
The charity is run by volunteers, mainly survivors of domestic violence themselves.
“When she started the organisation, 90% of referrals came from professionals,” said Ray.
“Now 90% of them are self referrals.”
Kaleidoscopic UK runs 10 sanctuary support groups across England and Wales.
At each one, between 10 and 25 victim-survivors can find support in recovery, and the confidence to move on.
“The charity also offers various specialist support services, including a police-funded liberation programme to break the cycle of violence, and a Wokingham Borough Council-supported survivors’ programme for children and teenagers,” Ray said.
“And its schools education programme emphasises prevention, healthy relationships and boundaries.”
While males are the majority of perpetrators of domestic violence, Vickie explained that the charity is receiving an increasing number of referrals from male victim-survivors needing support.
“Men can suffer, too, she told us.
“The stigma of domestic violence, victim blaming, and the shame some feel after failed attempts at separation, still deters victims from coming forward.
“Domestic violence breeds in silence.”
For information, visit: kaleidoscopic.ukand rotary-ribi.org
