Salford Survivor Project have organised a bike ride in Salford to raise money to help fight the rise of domestic abuse cases in Salford.
The registered charity has taken action since Greater Manchester police reported that there’s been a 29% increase in domestic abuse offences since 2012.
The charity’s founder, Jane Gregory said:
“Greater Manchester has one of highest domestic abuse homicide rates in the whole of the country. In the last year, Salford alone has had two women murdered.”
Had an amazing response today at Ride to Remember
— Salford Survivor (@ProjectSSP) September 25, 2019
The charity has helped put seven abusers in prison over the last year, she said:
“In the past year, we have been instrumental in ensuring that a number of abusers have been sent to prison for more than 50 years collectively. One of them got 27 years.”
One member, Sarah, is a survivor of domestic abuse. She said:
“I went through domestic violence myself about 15 years ago, and there was nothing like the support group, nowhere to run, I had to cope by myself.”
Sarah, who has been a volunteer for over two years, expressed her concern about the rise of domestic abuse.
“There’s more and more people going through it, and more and more names coming up of people who have been killed by their partners.”
While the group read out a list of names of people who have been killed as a result of domestic abuse, Sarah said: “It’s like there’s a new mum, dad, sister, brother or even children that are getting killed by partners every day.”
The charity have set up a crowd funder, and people are still making donations. Sarah told Salford Now about a lack of funding, which is needed to make positive contributions to survivors of domestic abuse.
“We’ve got 24 volunteers that work long hours all week for nothing, everything comes out our own pockets. This money is going towards more training and getting the word out there.”
Ms Gregory revealed that she was inspired to start the group in 2013 by her daughter. “My daughter was strangled, and she stayed with her abuser for six years, and in 2012, a friend was murdered. My daughter went to the trial and while in the trial she decided she didn’t want to be in that relationship anymore and she finally left. Then I set up the group to support her.”
The group worked with Pure Gym in Salford for national fitness day to help facilitate the ‘Ride for life’. The general manager of the gym, Jai Tailor explained why Pure Gym was inspired to get involved with the group.
“Exercise is a cathartic practice, the more you exercise, the better you’re going to feel.”
Ms Gregory added: “It’s national fitness day, and we decided to promote a healthy mind and healthy spirit because they’re the kind of things we do with survivors of abuse. If you feel good about yourself, you are less likely to accept abuse.”
The group have appealed to the general public to report any symptoms or suspicions of domestic abuse. “People don’t always feel comfortable reporting things, but that doesn’t mean you can’t point someone in the right direction.”
If you or someone you know have been or are currently being affected by anything mentioned here, call the national domestic violence hotline on 0808 2000 247.
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