Meet FREEDA... the new face of Jersey Women's Refuge

Thursday 19 October 2023

The island’s only independent domestic violence charity has changed its name to "include everyone in the conversation", and reflect the “breadth” of its work within the community.

Jersey Women's Refuge will now be known as 'FREEDA: Free from Domestic Abuse', with the rebrand announced at a 35th-anniversary event in the Royal Yacht Hotel last night.

FREEDA works both to protect individuals fleeing from domestic abuse, and to break the cycle of abuse through prevention and education programmes.

The charity provides emotional and proactive support in the community and in their safe house, whilst undertaking outreach and prevention activities in schools, health settings, and workplaces.

Pictured: FREEDA's new safe house offers a suite for islanders with disabilities, designed with input from the island's diversity and equality charity Liberate.

Lisa Leventhal, who has been Chief Executive of the charity since February, said it had been a "milestone year" for the organisation with the opening of a larger safe house in July.

Express got an exclusive look around the site shortly before residents moved in after a huge fundraising appeal to refurbish and secure the safe house.

With its accessible facilities, the new safe house now allows the charity to cater for islanders with disabilities, those with pets, or with older teenage sons up to the age of 18 (in a self-contained flat) – something which was not possible before. 

Pictured: Lisa Leventhal, CEO of FREEDA, took up the role earlier this year.

Ms Leventhal said: "When Jersey Women's Refuge was established 35 years ago, in the face of many barriers, it provided a fantastic and critically needed service for islanders.

"Since then, it has become so much more than just a safe house. We are so incredibly proud to be providing support when women and children need it most, in the safe house and in the community, but to also actively undertake work to educate and prevent abuse happening in the first instance."

She continued: "Jersey Women's Refuge had organically developed and we needed a brand that reflects the breadth of our work. FREEDA actively engages all genders within the community, knowing that the conversation around domestic abuse must include everyone in order to make progress.

"We are able to provide professional support to individuals experiencing financial abuse, or those who need access to legal support within the in-house legal and financial clinic."

Pictured: FREEDA's new safe house opened earlier this year.

Terry Morel, who chairs the FREEDA committee, said: "We understand that the cycle of domestic abuse often begins long before women require or request our safehouse services and that the legacy impact on those affected, including their children, can be devastating and long-lasting.

"FREEDA's organisational aims and objectives have broadened extensively to reflect this.

"In attempt to break this cycle, it is critical to change the lives of those people who may live in fear and feel isolated from family and friends. If you know of someone who needs help do not hesitate to call us at FREEDA."

SUPPORT...

FREEDA will continue to provide all services including 24/7 safe house access.

The emergency contact remains the same on 0800 735 6836.

The charity has unveiled a new website that includes further information: www.freeda.org.je.