Mel B praises launch of $300k 'lifesaver' fund to help domestic violence survivors

Virgin Radio

10 May 2023, 14:17

Spice Girl Mel B has hailed the launch of a £300,000 fund to help those living with domestic abuse.

The singer, who is also a patron Women’s Aid campaigns said it was a “great day” to see the fund finally going into action for people fleeing abuse relationships.

She added the cash would be the “difference between life and death” for a lot of women and told The Sun newspaper: “Today is a great day- our voices have been heard.

“Thank you so much to the readers of The Sun for backing this important campaign.”

This comes after Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced the money would be part of a pilot scheme helping women in England and Wales last month.

From Tuesday (9th May), abuse survivors can now apply for £250 cash or voucher payments of £500 if they have children through the charity Women’s Aid to help them buy essentials such as food, nappies, clothes or rent on their homes.

Mel was allegedly in an abusive relationship herself and spoke more about that in her interview with the sun, she said: “All I knew was that my life was in pieces, I was isolated from my family and friends, I had zero self-confidence and had been pushed to the brink of suicide because of this man who I believed would love me.

“Finally I was heard, I was believed and I spoke my truth…staying silent keeps things the same and abuse thrives in silence.”

She continued: “While I am still surviving the long-term effects of abuse, which includes PTSD and the outdated attitudes of the family courts, I am proud to be a woman who is here for other women and other survivors of domestic abuse.”