Domestic abuse charity Refuge has launched a new campaign in response to a survey that highlights significant gaps in UK awareness of domestic abuse red flags. This initiative coincides with International Women’s Day and aims to educate the public about various forms of abuse, especially those that are less obvious.

Data from Refuge reveals that only 26% of UK adults understand the scale of domestic abuse affecting women. While 80% would report physical abuse, this figure drops to 39% for less recognised forms, like coercive behaviour and economic abuse. Furthermore, younger people struggle to identify such signs, with only 57% of 18-24-year-olds recognising non-consensual image sharing as abusive.

To launch the campaign, Refuge will showcase an installation at Outernet London featuring 100 physical red flags, each with quotes from domestic abuse survivors. Accompanied by a soundscape from renowned actors, including Olivia Colman, the exhibition aims to create an immersive experience that brings attention to often-unreported abuse.

Olivia Colman noted, “Abuse doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. It’s in the small moments… No red flag is too small to be noticed.” The installation aims to highlight the nuanced forms of domestic abuse and will be complemented by social media content and performances, including a live reading by Caitlin O’Ryan.

Abigail Ampofo, Interim Chief Executive of Refuge, stated that this campaign aims to expose the hidden forms of abuse that often go unnoticed. She emphasised the importance of using survivors’ voices to communicate these warnings, reinforcing that women are not alone in their struggles.

The Red Flags campaign seeks to foster a deeper understanding of domestic abuse, encouraging individuals to recognize and report all forms of it not just the obvious ones.

Refuge’s campaign effectively raises awareness about the subtle forms of domestic abuse often overlooked by the public. By presenting the red flags and survivor stories, Refuge aims to encourage recognition and reporting of these abuses. The installation and social media efforts serve as crucial tools to educate and empower individuals, ensuring that no one suffers in silence.

Original Source: www.outernet.com

The post Refuge’s Campaign to Unveil Red Flags of Domestic Abuse first appeared on The London Bell.

The Royal Academy of Arts in London plans to cut approximately 60 roles, representing 18% of its workforce, to address financial challenges. A spokesperson stated that no final decisions have been made as consultations are ongoing. Of the positions at risk, nearly half are unfilled roles, potentially limiting job losses to around 30 employees.

The RA is facing financial strain due to rising costs and shifts in visitor behaviour, which affected its income from ticket sales and other sources. The Academy’s visitor numbers have yet to recover fully to pre-pandemic levels, with attendance dropping to around 622,000 last year from 1.25 million pre-COVID.

Recent financial reports indicate the RA anticipates a net loss of £7.1 million in the upcoming budgetary year, predicting a prolonged struggle to restore income levels. Without measures like these layoffs, the institution risks breaching its credit facilities by 2026, requiring significant withdrawals from other trust funds.

The IWGB union expressed serious concern over these redundancies, calling them a result of poor management. They demand management halt the process and seek alternatives, warning that employees may take action to defend their jobs.

Interim Chief Executive Natasha Mitchell acknowledged the severe financial challenges facing the RA and stressed the necessity of the proposed workforce reductions. She pledged support for affected employees, recognising the difficulty of the situation while asserting the importance of these measures for the RA’s future viability.

This development reflects broader difficulties for UK cultural institutions, impacted by years of funding cuts, the pandemic, Brexit, and economic challenges like the cost-of-living crisis.

The Royal Academy of Arts is facing significant financial difficulties, leading to plans to reduce its workforce by 18%. While consultations are ongoing, the situation highlights the impact of changed visitor patterns and a lack of government funding. Unions are protesting the redundancies, urging management to consider alternative measures, pointing to a troubling trend within UK cultural institutions.

Original Source: www.theartnewspaper.com

The post Royal Academy of Arts to Cut 18% of Workforce Amid Financial Struggles first appeared on The London Bell.