Press Release: One Voice 4 Travellers

In response to the Home Affairs Select Committee report on domestic abuse during Covid-19, Lisa Smith Chair of One Voice 4 Travellers said:

‘We at One Voice 4 Travellers fully indorse publication of the recent important report from the Home Affairs Select Committee concerning domestic abuse during Covid-19. The report highlights the huge risk that women living with abusive partners face during lockdown. Whilst we all understand that the stay at home measures are integral part of the Government’s strategy to keep us safe and save lives, However when your home is the place where you are abused, be that physically or mental your safe haven becomes your living hell.

We at One Voice 4 Travellers is a charity working with the Gypsy, Romany, Traveller and Roma. And knows first-hand the huge need for specialist frontline service across the country and have therefore set up a national reporting centre for women and girls within the Gypsy, Romany, Traveller and Roma community. Services working with survivors or survivors themselves can call us on 01945 430 724, e-mail onevoice4travellers@hotmail.co, or download a referral sheet by visiting out web site www.onevoice4travellers.co.uk. Calls to out charity have spiked significantly during the lockdown -seeing on average an 80% increase in support requests this is in addition to the number of projects we run in the various counties of East Anglia and the larger project across East Anglia funded by Big Lottery.

Refuge strongly supports the Committee’s recommendation to increase refuge capacity and funding for specialist services. Since 2010 Cuts in funding local or national has reduced frontline services such as ours to a dangerous level, no women should have to live in constant fear and pain yet feel afraid to access support due to services not fully understanding Gypsy and Traveller lifestyle and culture.  Therefore, we at One Voice 4 Travellers endorse the recommendation of the Committee and join our voice to that of the Refuge charity in considering that the Committee recommendations are sensible, realistic and would make a significant difference to the women and children we support.

Together we will achieve

We at One Voice 4 Travellers would like to thank all the NHS staff and all key workers who at this most difficult time continue to carry out their work and in doing so are helping to save many lives.  Also a big well done to all he existing and new volunteers who are volunteering their time taking up unpaid key roles along members of the public who have taken the advice to stay safe, stay at home and save lives which is helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19

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How to access support during COVID-19

If you or someone you know is at risk of Domestic abuse in the home, help is available please contact One Voice 4 Travellers for help/advice 

Contact details One Voice 4 Travellers     

Telephone: 01945 430 724                                                                                                                                                                          We do not have someone in the office all the time, so if you ring and we are not able to answer, please leave a message and we will return your call.

E-mail: Onevoice4travellers@hotmail.com

Write to: One Voice 4 Travellers Limited, 3A Country Park, Jubilee Lane, Marshland St James, Wisbech PE14 8JD

Other contacts

24/7 National Domestic Abuse helpline: 0808 2000 247

If in immediate danger, always ring the police on 999. If you are unable to speak, press 55 and the police will assist you

POSTER How to access support during COVID