Camilla: I’m shocked at how many are victims of violence in the home
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Cornwall, who has made fighting domestic abuse a key focus of her work, has raised concerns ahead of a Stand Up To Domestic Abuse Conference at Celtic Manor, Newport, next month.
The Duchess was contacted by the event organiser RachelWilliams, who she met during her work with the charity SafeLives.
Rachel suffered domestic violence for 18 years before her husband Darren shot her and committed suicide. Six weeks later her son Jack, 16, also killed himself.
The Duchess, in her message to the conference, said Rachel’s “harrowing story made a deep impression on me”.
She said: “It is a testament to her courage that she was able to write her book The Devil At Home to spread the word about the reality of living with domestic abuse.”
Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, 50, along with the victims’ commissioner, Dame Vera Baird, will be among the list of speakers.
Camilla added: “I’m sure [the survivors’] stories will remind everyone that there is still much to be The Daily Express has launched an End This Injustice crusade to prevent a repeat of such harrowing cases.
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The Duchess had an emotional meeting with survivors, including Rachel, at the SafeLives event earlier this year.
Rachel wants to take the Daily Express crusade to No 10 and is hoping to meet Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel in an attempt to win changes to the system. She previously met the then Prime Minister Theresa May.
She said: “Having the Duchess of Cornwall on board really helps the cause and shows the victims and survivors that she cares about what is happening within this arena.
“Domestic abuse and violence is an epidemic and everyone needs to recognise it as such.We can all play a part in eradicating it, we owe it to the next generation to stamp this out. Society must stand together and say enough is enough, this is all our business.”
Michael Sheen has been supporting Rachel and wants a law change. “I have heard from Rachel that people are not getting the protection they need. I really hope we can see a change around that,” he said.