Today, the Duchess Of Cornwall hosted an event to celebrate Refuge’s 50th Anniversary.
Camilla, 74, who is a longtime advocate for victims of domestic abuse, was joined by Home Secretary Priti Patel at Clarence House for the reception this afternoon.
The royal also met reality star Zara McDermott, who has become an advocate for tackling sexism among young people after opening up about her experiences with sexual assault and revenge porn in a BBC documentary.
Appearing alongside Refuge chair, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, and domestic abuse campaigner Erica Osakwe, the royal met Refuge ambassadors, trustees and survivors of domestic abuse.
The Duchess of Cornwall met reality star Zara McDermott as she hosted a celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of domestic violence charity Refuge
Along with Refuge chair Hetti barkworth-Nanton (and domestic abuse campaigner Erica Osakwe), the royal met Refuge ambassadors. They also met trustees and survivors from domestic abuse.
Camilla (74), who has been a tireless advocate for domestic abuse victims, was joined at Clarence House by Priti Patel, Home Secretary, for this reception.
Later, after delivering a speech to attendees, the Duchess visited Refuge Centre to inspect the shelters available for domestic abuse victims.
Leading charity Refuge provide various essential services for women including refuges, independent advocacy, community outreach projects and the 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Zara, a former Love Island star, has spoken out about the issues facing young women in today’s world since she entered public life. She was recently featured on a BBC Three documentary that examined sexism, rape culture, and Britain.
She opened up about a sexual assault where she was ‘almost raped’ while walking home in broad daylight, only escaping when a group of adults saw the attack and came to help.
Zara (24-year-old reality star) met the royal and became a champion for fighting sexism in young people. She has spoken out about her experiences with sexual assault, revenge porn, and other aversities.
As she celebrated 50 years as the most prominent domestic violence charity, the Home Secretary was in good spirits
Royal conversation was deepened by the Home Secretary who helped introduce UK laws that are more favorable to domestic abuse victims.
Reality star Zara McDermott was the director of Zara McDermott’s highly-acclaimed documentary Zara McDermott Revenge Porn, in which she recounted her two revenge porn incidents.
It was the Home Secretary who introduced changes to UK law that allow domestic abuse victims. more time to report incidents of common assault or battery against them.
Changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill earlier this month mean prosecutions will be able to take place six months from the date the incident is reported to the police – with an overall time limit of two years from the offence to bring a prosecution.
At the moment, prosecutions must be brought against within six months from the date of offense.
After delivering a speech at the event to the guests, the Duchess visited Refuge to view the refuge centre that provides emergency shelter for women fleeing domestic violence.
Camilla is a long-standing advocate for better support for domestic abuse victims. She was named SafeLives patron for 2020.
Priti Patel, who celebrated Clarence House’s 50th Anniversary at Clarence House on Wednesday afternoon, was high spirits
Camilla enjoyed a warm smile as she met leaders in women’s advocacy and celebrated 50 years with Refuge, the world’s leading charity for victims of domestic violence.
Ruth Davison, Refuge’s CEO, responded to the announcement that the government would extend the period for survivors of domestic abuse to report common assault.
‘As Refuge we work with women every day who know just how hard it can be to report domestic abuse – they might not yet have fled their perpetrator, they may fear repercussions, or they might not yet have processed the assault they experienced. It is extremely difficult for survivors to speak out when trust in the police has fallen at all levels.
She added: ‘This amendment, when it comes into practice, will make an enormous difference to survivors of domestic abuse and will help offer much greater protection to women and girls.’
Camilla, who has advocated long for specialist help for domestic abuse victims, became SafeLives’ patron in 2020.
Camilla had a deep conversation with Zara, reality star and TV host who was vocal about the issues facing young women since she entered public life.
Camilla, pictured posing with guests at the reception, later visited a Refuge centre to see the emergency accommodation provided to women fleeing domestic abuse
This is The Duchess who has been a vocal advocate for domestic abuse victims and is seen posing in a photo with the guests at this reception.
The royal, who previously expressed fear that the coronavirus pandemic would have a ‘horrific’ impact on the levels of abuse, recently opened up about the very personal effect witnessing domestic abuse has had on her.
Speaking to the Telegraph at a women’s refuge in Reading, Berkshire, Camilla spoke passionately about the fact many of us across Britain will know domestic abuse victims.
“Well, I believe if someone has known you then it truly hits home,” she stated. “Goodness” is a feeling that you feel. This may be happening under your nose, and it’s probably something I did not know.
“And this makes you feel guilty that you didn’t help when you needed it most.”
‘I’ve certainly known people who have suffered… suffered from it. It’s easy to think that domestic abuse is when someone hits you.
“But, you don’t know what goes on inside most relationships.”