Catherine Harper, who founded The Cithrah Foundation in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list. Founded in 1998, the charity offers advice, support and signposting to individuals following domestic abuse or family breakdown and operates a refuge for women and their families who have become homeless due to domestic abuse.
“From being a survivor, we try to help them become a ‘thriver’ as well,” she was quoted as saying by the Northern Ireland World newspaper.
Jo Todd, the CEO of Respect, has received an honorary degree from her former university, Essex, in recognition of her work supporting victims of domestic abuse. Respect focuses on stopping perpetrators of domestic abuse by intervening, holding them to account and giving them the chance to change their behaviour.
Leeds-born Mel B of the Spice Girls has received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University in part for being an advocate for domestic abuse survivors. She is a patron of Women’s Aid.
West Northamptonshire Council has joined the UK Says No More Campaign aimed at ending domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Domestic abuse survivors and their supporters marched through Northampton and held a silent demonstration outside the authority’s headquarters in June in protest at how it handled claims of domestic abuse against then leader, councillor John Nunn. He denies the allegations against him.
Replacement leader Adam Brown said: “We know people currently feel let down by us and we need to rebuild that trust. The only way we can do this is by fully demonstrating our commitment to how seriously we take these issues, by listening to our partners and residents and acting on their concerns. Signing up to the UK Says No More campaign is an important step in doing this.”
