A quiz night for Compassion on 17th June, combatting domestic abuse in South Suffolk.

Compassion, the local charity that supports victims of domestic abuse,  is holding a quiz night to raise funds on Friday 17th June.  Please try to come along and support this vital work.

Like others I have been following the story of Helen Archer every evening and twice on Sundays on Radio Four.  For those who are not Archers fans I have to reveal that Helen, who is pregnant,  is currently languishing in prison, unable to obtain bail.  She is there because, in circumstances of extreme provocation, she stabbed, and almost killed, her abusive and controlling husband, Rob.  Helen has not only lost her freedom, she has lost access to her 5 year old son, and it is likely that, when it is born, she will also lose her baby.

The inclusion of this robust story line in the radio soap about the implications for a family of domestic abuse has not been without controversy,  Indeed it has permanently alienated some long term listeners to the programme.  The plot has been criticised as over sensational and unrealistic, but actually this is not the case.  All over the UK women and men are living with abusive partners and, from time to time, this leads to situations such as Helen's.

Suffolk is not exempt from the problem.  According to Suffolk Constabulary quarterly reports to Suffolk County Council Domestic Abuse Partnership, In Suffolk alone in 2014/15 there were over 9000 incidents of abuse reported to the police, a 12.5% increase over the previous year. Due to the fact that many incidents go unreported, the figure was probably a lot higher than this.  It is highly likely that someone you know is affected.  The impact on victims and, often, their children, is serious in every case.

For almost 15 years, the local charity, Compassion, has been combatting domestic violence in and around Sudbury by supporting victims and their families, running courses and raising awareness in the community.    Recently the organisation adopted charitable status in order to increase its scope and it now urgently needs to raise funds to pay for necessary growth across the whole Babergh area.

Please think about getting a team of six together for the Quiz Night.  If you want to come individually or as a pair we will try to match you up with others.   The event is to be held at Newton Green Golf Club and tickets at £10.50 will include a glass of wine on arrival and a hot meal.  Drinks and ice cream will be available to purchase.

Full details from me:jenny@antillantill.com (tel: 01787 378310)  or from Elaine at : admin@compass-ion.org