Kym Marsh Fronts #Hereforher to End Abuse Against Women With Crime + Investigation® and Refuge

Crime+Investigation® launched its End Abuse Against Women initiative in partnership with domestic abuse charity Refuge in November 2019. The initiative focussed on educating and fundraising around the cause of domestic abuse and driving awareness of important life-saving support services that Refuge provides across the country.

In light of the huge increase in demand for the Refuge helpline and emergency accommodation following the nationwide lockdown earlier this year, the second year of partnership with Refuge to End Abuse Against Women will see British actress and presenter Kym Marsh fronting #HereForHer, Crime +Investigation’s campaign to support victims of domestic abuse.

Commenting on the #HereForHer launch, campaign ambassador Kym Marsh said: “Many people still believe that domestic abuse is a private matter and many victims of domestic abuse feel isolated from friends or family due to their abusive partners, and feel like they have no one to talk to. That is why I’m championing the #HereForHer initiative to let those victims know there is a community of support available to them, even if they feel like they have nowhere to turn.’’

‘’Domestic abuse is a crime and initiatives like Crime+Investigation’s #HereForHer are absolutely vital to raising much-needed awareness of an issue that has huge knock-on effects across society and raise much-needed funds to support the hugely important work Refuge do through their national Helpline and emergency services.” added Kym Marsh.

Domestic abuse is one of the biggest social issues affecting women and children in the UK today.

In the UK alone, one in four women experience domestic abuse at some point in their life; two women are killed every week by a current or former partner in England and Wales alone. The police receive a domestic abuse call every 30 seconds. Despite these alarming figures, a Crime+Investigation poll of 2,000 adults commissioned by the channel earlier this year has revealed that 74% of British respondents think that there is a lack of awareness of the effects of domestic abuse in the UK.

Heather Jones, GM UK, SVP Content and Creative, EMEA at A+E Networks® UK said: “In such challenging times, it’s vitally important that we come together to help those who are most in need. With Crime+ Investigation’s #HereForHer campaign, we stand in solidarity with victims of domestic abuse. With increased restrictions being put in place across huge swathes of the UK, now is a critical time for us to continue raising awareness. We can all be here for her. ”

Launching on the 19th October and running till the 25th November, #HereForHer will showcase inspirational testimonies of domestic abuse survivors, compelling video interviews with helpline workers and refuge providers, and educational pieces about the warning signs and types of domestic abuse.

Lisa King, Director of Communications and External Relations at Refuge said: “Although the pandemic has brought to light the issue of domestic abuse like never before, education is still crucially important to help women identify the signs of abuse, escape violence, and rebuild a life for themselves and their children. Refuge continues to work around the clock to provide emotional and practical support to victims of domestic abuse.”   

Money donated to Refuge provides safe accommodation and professional advice to the victims of domestic violence. Just £10 could provide an Emergency Parcel which contains the necessities such as toiletries, food, and clothing to ensure that a woman escaping a life-threatening situation can have what they need for their first night in a refuge.

Chris Hancox, Vice President of Marketing, at A+E Networks® UK commented: “We’re delighted to have Kym on board as our #HereForHer campaign ambassador. We have produced some compelling content that will be running on Crime+ Investigation’s linear and digital platforms throughout October and November, spreading our messages and engaging with audiences as widely as possible.”

Crime+Investigation will broadcast a brand new UK commission, Family Man, which examines three cases of familicide in a one-off documentary, premiering on Wednesday, 25th November - the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. 

Kym will also be fronting a brand new four-part true-crime series, Murder at My Door with Kym Marsh for Crime+Investigation, premiering on the channel on November 2nd. The series delves into the stories of those that unknowingly opened their door to evil with tragic consequences, as told through the eyes of those they left behind.