Avon UK to donate £150k to Refuge

We’re all in this together.  With domestic violence sadly set to increase during the Covid-19 pandemic, front line organisations anticipate an increase in the need for their support services, at a time when funding for services is in danger.

1.6 million women in the UK experienced domestic abuse last year, and self-isolation has the potential to aggravate pre-existing abusive behaviours by perpetrators.  Avon’s donation will help to keep front line services open and women and children safe.

In response to the growing demand for more readily available hygiene products, Avon UK is switching some of its manufacturing lines to create a new moisturising hand gel and anticipates 600,000 units to be available across April.  A proportion of the products will be ring fenced for NHS staff and domestic abuse service users and staff.  As a gesture of thanks to Representatives that are supporting their communities, Avon will gift every Representative free hand gel to help keep them and their family safe.

With sales from the hand gel, Avon is donating £150k to national domestic abuse charity Refuge.  Avon has a long-standing commitment to help end violence against women and girls and during these unprecedented times Avon is helping to keep front line services open.

Sandra Horley, CBE, chief executive of Refuge says: “Refuge is extremely grateful to Avon for its longstanding support – and in particular its recent unexpected donation of £150,000.  This will make a huge difference to our services; helping to keep our doors open, whilst providing additional support to our expert team who are now having to run our national services from home environments.  This continues to be a time of great challenge.  However, Refuge’s services have remained open and we continue to support thousands of women up and down the country experiencing domestic abuse.  If you know anyone experiencing domestic abuse and it is safe for them to contact Refuge, please urge them to contact our 24-hour Helpline or access our online resources.  During this period of social distancing and increased isolation, we want women to know that they are not alone and that Refuge is there to support them in confidence.”

Globally, women are disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, in part due to existing inequalities.  Avon will go over and above our initial commitment to donate $10m to women’s charities this year from Avon and the Avon Foundation.  We’re also taking action to raise awareness of violence against women and girls, sharing information on where to go for help and how to support others during the pandemic.