Look To The Stars News: Refuge

Reese Witherspoon Tackles Domestic Violence

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:35:00 +0000

Actress Reese Witherspoon, as honorary chairwoman of Avon Foundation, spoke to British politicians earlier this month in conjunction with charity Refuge’s campaign launch, Four Ways To Speak Out, about domestic violence against women.

According to Avon, two women are killed each week in England and Wales by current or former partners, and one in four women will be victims of domestic violence at some point. However, Avon research shows that most people don’t know of anyone who is suffering from such abuse, due mostly to the shame felt by surviving victims, which keeps them from talking about it. It is a well-kept secret that shouldn’t be.

Witherspoon has called upon the UK government to improve services for victims. “There remains what can seem like an impenetrable wall of silence around violence,” she said, “and we must all play a role in breaking this silence.”

Celebrities Sign Petition To Stamp Out Domestic Violence

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

On 2 December 2009 Avon UK and Refuge – a UK-based charity whose safe houses provide emergency accommodation for women and children when they are most in need – will host a press conference at the House of Commons to discuss the Four Ways to Speak Out campaign.

The event will mark the mid-point in the ‘16 Days of Activism’ which begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and which ends on 10 December, International Human Rights Day. At the event, Avon will announce the results of new research it has commissioned into public perceptions of domestic violence, seeking to break down the wall of silence that surrounds the issue.

The event will be hosted by Reese Witherspoon. The Four Ways campaign calls on people to speak out against domestic violence and encourages people to sign a petition, which asks the government to provide more domestic violence services. A host of celebrities – such as Fiona Bruce, Dame Helen Mirren, Janet Ellis, Maxine Peake, Ruby Wax, Helena Bonham Carter, Jo Brand, Patrick Stewart, Madeline Peyroux and Lorraine Kelly – have already signed the petition.

Celebrities' Big Wardrobes Emptied For Charity

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:52:58 +0000

Shoppers will have the chance to rummage through the wardrobes of some of Britain’s biggest celebrities next month when a new online auction hits the web.

Stars such as the Kaiser Chiefs, Peaches Geldof, Paul Weller, Jodie Kidd, Jo Whiley, Jodie Marsh, and Russell Brand are cleaning out their wardrobes in the name of charity, giving visitors of www.bigwardrobe.com the chance to own some celebrity threads. The big-hearted celebrities have chosen a range of charities that the proceeds of the auction, which launches on May 1, will go to – including Refuge, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and Marie Curie Cancer Care to name just a few.

Online shoppers can browse through dresses, jeans, and tops donated by Peaches Geldof, and the pink top worn by Jodie Marsh on her eviction from Celebrity Big Brother. The Kaiser Chiefs have donated a funky brown vintage suit and black bowler hat, as well as a signed Kaiser Chiefs shirt and a couple of signed football shirts, while Russell Brand has donated a signed pair of his famous skinny jeans.