Self Esteem has given her backing to a north London charity’s Christmas campaign.
For a new animation the singer performs an adaptation of The Twelve Days of Christmas to highlight the issue of domestic abuse for Solace, based in Islington, which supports women and children experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The video, produced with MSQ Sustain, highlights the fact that it takes a woman on average seven years to leave an abusive relationship.
It follows the life of Maya in 7 Years of Christmas, with the song brought to life by Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem.
The singer posted on her Instagram: "Physical and emotional violence awareness is a cause extremely close to my heart.
"Every 3 days a woman is killed as a result of domestic violence in the UK. 1 in 3 women in the UK will experience abuse in their lifetime. 1 in 4 children and young people experienced physical abuse over the year. 1 in 4 women have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult. 53% of trans people aged 18 to 24 have experienced a hate crime or incident based on their gender identity in the last 12 months. 1 in 20 children aged 11-17 in the UK have been sexually abused. There were more than 10,000 stalking offences recorded in London in the 12 months leading up to September 2021.
"Read that again. Donate if you can."
Judith Banjoko, interim CEO of Solace, said: “Solace have been supporting women and girls in London for nearly fifty years. We know how difficult it can be to leave an abusive relationship. No one should experience violence for 1 day let alone seven years. From financial barriers and housing issues to coercive control and fear of death, there are so many reasons women don’t feel able to leave abusive relationships.
"With the cost-of-living crisis and the impact for the pandemic still being felt, we worry that even more women will be making the potentially fatal decision to stay with an abuser, as the idea of surviving alone is just as terrifying. Over half of survivors have had essential resources restricted by their abuser. We want to show them that they are not alone, we’re here to offer support and help when they are ready.”
The charity supports nearly 30,000 women each year in London alone.
This Christmas, Solace will be supporting more than 300 women and families in their refuges as well as continuing to run services, from advice to rape crisis to therapeutic services aimed.
Jon Leney, executive creative director of MSQ Sustain, said: “When we learnt that it takes an average of seven years for women to leave an abusive relationship, we knew this would make a compelling jumping off point for a powerful and emotive film.
"And by changing the words to a familiar Christmas song, sung by one of the UK’s leading female artists, combined with animation to tell Maya’s story, we’ve been able to bring this horrific fact to people’s attention, this Christmas.”
Watch the film at https://youtube.com/@solacewomensaid8211
To donate, go to bit.ly/bgsolace7year
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