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E-mail me when tickets become available Back to calendarScheme extension set to help hundreds more flee domestic abuse
Since its launch in April 2020, 1,348 have used the lifesaving scheme, equating to four people a day 1
CrossCountry has announced it is extending its support of the Rail to Refuge scheme, which offers free train travel to individuals fleeing domestic abuse.
The scheme, which has been developed in partnership with Women’s Aid and was due to come to an end this week, allows men, women or children escaping domestic abuse to apply for free train travel to refuge accommodation.
Train companies across Great Britain have been showing their support following the rise in such cases as a result of the pandemic. Two-thirds (67%) of survivors currently experiencing abuse say that their abuser has started using lockdown restrictions or the Covid-19 virus and its consequences as part of the abuse.2
Many survivors have experienced years of economic abuse, and it is unfortunately common for a perpetrator to control access to money leaving survivors with nothing .3 This restricts their practical ability escape from violent situation when they may have to travel considerable distances to get away from their abuser or because of a lack of local provision.
Women’s Aid estimates that in 2019-20, refuge services in England supported 10,592 women and 12,710 children, but demand is even higher.4
CrossCountry’s Managing Director, Tom Joyner said:
“Sadly, there has been a rise in domestic abuse cases during the pandemic with many women, men and children fleeing their homes. Our support of the Rail to Refuge scheme is our way of helping those most vulnerable at this time. I am delighted to support the scheme’s extension and play our part in helping those in need.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“I support every effort to counter the insidious and heinous crime of domestic abuse. Rail to Refuge has helped hundreds of survivors to reach safety by removing the financial barriers that prevent escape. "
“Extending this vital support is truly lifesaving and I thank all those working so hard to help keep people safe on our railways.”
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 – Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 12:00pm: https://chat.womensaid.org.uk 5
If you would like to contribute to help survivors access the lifesaving support they need and help them reach refuge, please make a donation today: www.womensaid.org.uk/rail-to-refuge. 6
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For further information please contact:
CrossCountry - email: communications@crosscountrytrains.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
CrossCountry’s network is the most geographically extensive passenger rail franchise in Britain. Stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance and from Stansted to Cardiff, it calls at over 100 stations. Based in Birmingham, CrossCountry connects seven of the Britain’s 10 largest cities and delivers 298 services every weekday, equating to some 40 million passenger journeys a year.
For further information on CrossCountry services visit crosscountrytrains.co.uk or follow them online via Twitter at @crosscountryuk or Facebook.com/crosscountrytrains
CrossCountry is part of the Arriva group, one of the leading providers of passenger transport in Europe. Arriva employs over 46,000 people and delivers over 2 billion passenger journeys across 14 European countries each year.
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Notes to editors