Rail to Refuge helps 2,265 victims of domestic abuse reach safe haven

Women’s Aid Chief Executive pushes for continuation of ‘essential lifeline’ to support more women and children

The full impact of a scheme offering free train travel to women, children and men fleeing domestic abuse has been revealed in a briefing by Women’s Aid.

Since Rail to Refuge was launched across all UK train operators in April 2020, free tickets have been provided to 2,265 people – including 650 children over five. Such is its importance as almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of people who used it said they wouldn’t have travelled if the journey had not been paid for. As it stands, Rail to Refuge, which has been funded by Rail Delivery Group, is due to stop in March 2022, although it is hoped there will be a further extension.

Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, said: “This report shows just how many women and children’s lives have been saved through Rail to Refuge.

“When we know abuse isolates you from your finances, this scheme – which takes these barriers into account and brings survivors to safety at no cost to them – is exemplary. The continuation of this scheme is essential for the safety of women. It is a lifeline for survivors who would otherwise be trapped in abuse and at a huge increased risk.

“We are delighted that train companies have worked with us to remove such a significant financial barrier to escaping abuse and hope to receive positive news soon regarding funding that secures the future of this lifesaving scheme.”

Rail to Refuge was first introduced by Southeastern in September 2019, after one of its station managers – Darren O’Brien – watched a Dispatches documentary ‘Safe at Last’ about Reigate and Banstead Women’s Aid.

Great Western Railway joined the scheme in March 2020 to offer free travel on its routes as part of its celebration of International Women’s Day. During the first lockdown, Rail Delivery Group worked with Women’s Aid to turn Rail to Refuge into a national scheme so that hundreds more people could access free travel. This was launched in April 2020, covering England, Scotland and Wales.

Making a difference Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of Rail Delivery Group, said: “The railway has an important role to play in ensuring a fair recovery from the pandemic right across the country, so train companies are immensely proud to have helped more than 2,000 people so far to escape domestic abuse and get to a place of safety.

“This report shows almost two thirds of people wouldn’t have been able to leave without the free travel provided by train companies, so it really does offer a way out for the people who urgently need it.”

Free train travel, provided by train companies, can be booked by member services of Women’s Aid Federation of England (WAFE), Welsh Women’s AID (WWA), Scottish Women’s Aid (SWA) and Imkaan, the UK’s umbrella organisation dedicated to addressing violence against black and minoritised women and girls.

These organisations can make bookings when offering them a place in their refuge, or referring them to a refuge outside of these organisations’ memberships. Among those using the service is the Stop Domestic Abuse organisation, which has been able to secure more than 100 rail tickets.

Chief Executive Officer Claire Lambon said: “The Rail to Refuge scheme has changed lives and saved lives. There are many challenges women face when fleeing domestic abuse and one of the main concerns is how they will afford a train ticket to get to a refuge. Rail to Refuge has meant that Stop Domestic Abuse has been able to secure more than 100 rail tickets to get women and children to safety.

“The scheme makes it a much easier decision for women to find the courage to leave their abusive relationship, knowing they have financial support to travel. Being the most frequent user of this scheme highlights how important the Rail to Refuge scheme is to Stop Domestic Abuse and the women and children we support.

“We are so pleased that the scheme has been extended and we will continue to support Women’s Aid in securing further funding for this life-saving initiative.”

Advice line Where can people get help if they are experiencing domestic abuse and need this scheme? Survivors of domestic abuse who would like to access the scheme, or need other support, can get in touch with Women’s Aid through their Live Chat service, open Monday to Friday, 10am–4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am–12pm: https://chat.womensaid.org.uk

Is Rail to Refuge only for women? The scheme is open to any survivor of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, and their dependents – as long as they have a place at a refuge. There are 37 refuges available for male victims of domestic abuse. Respect refers male victims to 37 different refuges, including 17 Women’s Aid members. Women’s Aid has an additional five members that accept men. Male victims of domestic abuse can call the Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010327.

Recruitment specialist Coyle Rail is one of the largest suppliers in the UK, offering everything from weekend supply to a fully managed service. Our team of experienced consultants always fi nd the right worker for the job.

info@coyles.co.uk www.coyles.co.uk 020 8861 3000

Jobson James Rail is a national specialist railway insurance broker, the market leader in the UK by a huge margin with over 325 rail clients across the UK, Middle East and Australasia.

keven.parker@jjrail.co.uk jjrail.co.uk 07816 283949

KOREC Rail is the complete package. We offer track measurement & levelling, monitoring, asset management – with top of the line solutions from Trimble, including the incredible GEDO system. All backed up by our friendly, knowledgeable & local teams.

info@korecgroup.com bit.ly/rail-solutions 0345 603 1214

Perfect Clean is an expert team of commercial cleaners specialised in providing a range of rail industry services, from trains and railway facilities to bio-hazard cleaning.

info@perfectcleanltd.co.uk www.perfectcleanltd.co.uk 07403 451 742

Award winning intermodal and bulk rail freight haulage For further information:

info@gwrr.co.uk www.freightliner.co.uk 03330 168556

Kelly Rail is a principal contractor to all major UK industry service providers, specialising in multi-disciplinary solutions including telecommunications, SISS, signalling, M&E, lineside civils and electrification HV & LV.

info@kellyrail.co.uk www.kelly.co.uk 0208 424 0909

ITAL works with businesses looking for productivity improvements, in both the management of people and systems. We bring technology improvements to generate effi ciencies that positively impact the bottom line, employees and customers.

ryan.leather@ital-uk.com www.ital-uk.com 08445 447 327

From managing keys behind the scenes to secure charging customer facing solution, keep your daily operation running smoothly by securing and monitoring valuable keys and equipment whilst keeping them easily accessible.

Sales@Keytracker.com www.Keytracker.com 0121 559 9000

Reach 2,000+ senior rail Reach 2,000+ senior rail industry professionals List your business here industry professionals for just £200 List your business here for just £200

Contact Christian Wiles chris@rbdpublications.com Contact Christian Wiles – chris@rbdpublications.com

Permanent railway recruitment specialists with over 25 years’ experience. White collar rail, Civils, Pway, OHLE staff. First class ‘CV sent’ to ‘job offer’ ratio guaranteed.

info@vanninsolutions.co.uk www.vanninsolutions.co.uk 01695 333033

Trackbed Scanning Services & Products

Zetica Rail is a multidisciplinary track inspection consultancy delivering trackbed condition information for maintenance planning, asset mapping and trackbed fault root cause assessment.

info@zetica.com www.zeticarail.com 01993 886682

The first stop for all your industry news and updates – railbusinessdaily.com Subscribe for your free daily briefing The first stop for all your industry news and updates – railbusinessdaily.com

Newsletters sent out every weekday at 7am

Sign up at railbusinessdaily.com