This Christmas, over £6.8 billion that will be spent online, which is why we’ve teamed up with Give As You Live to bring you this year’s fantastic Christmas gift guide. Every time you make a purchase from the guide, money will be donated to Women’s Aid – a charity very close to our hearts at handbag.com. Women’s Aid has been working to end domestic violence towards women and children in the UK since 1974.
Christmas can be one of the hardest times of year for victims of domestic abuse, particularly when they’re isolated from their families and feeling alone.. The support Women’s Aid offers these women can be invaluable In particular, the domestic abuse survivor’s forum is a great example of this – women who are suffering from domestic abuse, contemplating leaving their partners, or facing their first Christmas on their own after finding the courage to leave can log on and chat to other women who have been in similar situations. As one forum user explained in a message of thanks: “Your lovely words gave me the strength to hold on & I’m so grateful that you were all there for me even when you’re going through hell yourselves. I’m so glad that I found the forum & Ill be eternally thankful that you saved my life that night”
For some of these women, this is the only opportunity they have to talk someone other than their partner or children over Christmas, and can make the difference between them staying in and leaving an abusive situation. Lisa, one of the moderators on the Survivor's Forum explains: 'Many women will work very hard to keep the family together over Christmas, even if this means having to put up with abuse. Because of this they can feel very isolated, as their usual support networks may not be available, and they don't want to burden friends and family. The Survivor's Forum offers an outlet where they can safely access support and help each other through what can be a very difficult time."
So, crack on with your Christmas shopping safe in the knowledge that you’re also doing your bit for a very good cause. Your Christmas shopping sorted, complete with the feel good factor – what’s not to love?
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