Earlier this month, Women's Aid - the national charity for women and children working to end domestic abuse - launched their campaign #DeserveToBeHeard

The campaign calls for recognition of the impact that domestic abuse has on the mental health of women and their children.

In new research carried out by Women's Aid, they found that almost half of women in refuge reported feeling depressed or having suicidal thoughts as a direct result of the domestic abuse they experienced. However, it's likely that those figures are higher as the stigma around mental health often prevents women from speaking up. 

Women's Aid are therefore working to ensure the mental health needs of women, who are often not listened to and not believed, are heard and responded to effectively. At the heart of the campaign is survivor voice, helping all women and children have access to the mental health support they deserve.

Domestic abuse can have a severe and life-long impact on a survivor's mental health and mental ill-health can often be used against survivors by both perpetrators and within state systems such as the courts. Additionally, the services which can meet these mental health needs of survivors are often extremely underfunded.
  

Aims of the #DeserveToBeHeard campaign

• To change perceptions and attitudes towards survivors; mental health which compound women's trauma and inequality.
   
• To secure sufficient funding to enable specialist women's services - particularly those led 'by and for' Black and minoritised groups - to deliver vital mental health support and long term healing.
   

How you can help

Women's Aid need your support to highlight the impact of domestic abuse on women's mental health.

You can do this by signing up to become a #DeserveToBeHeard campaigner. In return, you will receive a monthly newsletter, keeping you up-to-date with the latest campaign news and including useful resources to help you take action.

Sign up here to add your voice.

Click this link to learn more about the #DeserveToBeHeard campaign.
 

If you, or someone you know, is affected by domestic abuse visit our Get Help page to see what help and advice is available.

Dial 999 if you are in immediate danger

If you are unable to speak, make yourself heard by tapping or shaking keys and press 55 when prompted by the operator.