Camilla meets domestic violence survivors and pledges support as she tours refuge
The pledge comes after Theresa May made women’s refuges exempt from the housing benefit cap
THE Duchess of Cornwall yesterday pledged to continue helping victims of domestic violence.
Camilla, 69, met survivors at a London centre run by charity Refuge and was joined by patron Sir Patrick Stewart, 76.
The Star Trek actor’s mum was abused by his father, who had PTSD after World War Two.
He said: “It is the shame that accompanies it that I remember most. In those days nobody could talk about it.
“I heard a policeman say ‘It takes two to make an argument, Mrs Stewart’.”
Camilla told him: “Until I got involved, I had no idea how many women had been affected, and children.
“I shall keep trying to help, I promise.”
Melanie Clarke, who was abused by her ex for 15 years, told her: “Thanks to Refuge, I could see my future.”
It comes after Theresa May made women’s refuges exempt from the housing benefit cap in a boost for The Sun’s Give Me Shelter campaign.
Refuge supports 3,800 women and children escaping abuse on any given day and the Duchess met three women who had accessed its specialist services.
Refuge chief executive Sandra Horley said it had been a “huge honour” to welcome Camilla.
She said: “Domestic violence remains a taboo issue.
“By joining us today, the Duchess is helping to end the silence that surrounds domestic violence.”