Prime Minister Theresa May visits leading domestic abuse charity Advance in Hammersmith

A leading women’s charity providing support to survivors of domestic abuse received a visit from a very interested observer this week.

Prime Minister Theresa May called in to the Advance offices in Hammersmith on Monday to see at first-hand the kind of work undertaken by the organisation and spent an hour in the company of staff.

Advance provides specialist domestic abuse services to women and children across London, including in Hammersmith and Fulham, Westminster, and Kensington and Chelsea.

The visit follows the government’s announcement that it wants to make it a legal duty for local authorities to offer services for survivors of domestic abuse, including accommodation support.

Christine Losecaat, the chairwoman of Advance, said: “Our vision is a world in which women and children lead safe, violence-free, equal lives so that they can flourish and actively contribute to society.

“We were delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to our West London Women’s Centre, especially during our 20th anniversary year.

“At Advance, we help over 4,000 women and children each year across London, saving and changing their lives. The continued support at national and local level is crucial to our work.”

Advance chief executive Niki Scordi added: “We welcome any initiative that supports the safety and well-being of women.

“At Advance, we work [with victims] to develop a safety and support plan that responds to her needs and empowers her, on the often long journey to recovery from the trauma of her experience.

This visit by the Prime Minister shows her continued support to the sector and to women’s specialist organisations like Advance.”