Actress urges domestic violence aid

12 April 2012

Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon will speak up for British victims of domestic violence and demand they receive more help.

Witherspoon will become the 1,353rd person to sign a petition to call for more Government support for women suffering domestic violence in the UK.

The actress, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Johnny Cash's wife June in the film Walk the Line, said: "Women involved in domestic violence situations often find it difficult to reach out to others for help.

"We can all play a role in bringing this issue to light and breaking the silence that surrounds it."

Witherspoon was in London in her role as Avon's global ambassador to support its joint campaign - Four Ways to Speak Out - with the charity Refuge. The actress said she was "so proud" to be part of the campaign. "Together we can make a difference. Together we have the power to raise awareness, provide support and increase the funding for this vital cause," she added.

Witherspoon is the keynote speaker at a joint press conference at the House of Commons where new research into public attitudes to domestic violence will be revealed.

The survey of almost 2,000 adults found more than nine in 10 people (92%) say they do not know anyone experiencing domestic violence although official statistics show one in four women in England and Wales experience domestic violence at some point in their lifetime.

The research also found more than half of the people questioned (54%) would not know where to turn if they did suspect someone they knew was suffering domestic violence.

Sandra Horley, chief executive of Refuge, said: "It's a shocking fact that one in three local authorities provide no domestic violence services for women whatsoever. Where are abused women supposed to go to get help? What can they do? To whom can they turn? Everyone everywhere must speak out. By failing to speak out against domestic violence, we make ourselves part of the problem."

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