Julie Christie from Dumfries & Stewartry Women's Aid speaks to Rotary club members

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The latest speaker at Lockerbie and District Rotary Club was CEO of Dumfries & Stewartry Women’s Aid, Julie Chisholm.Her talk titled “An Evening with Julie” proved to be an eye-opening talk on the dire need for better understanding and support for those suffering domestic abuse.Julie has been in the sector for almost 30 years and continues to meet daily with women going through trauma.

It seems to signify a real breakdown in society with the incidents related by her being truly horrific. Demand for the service is always increasing and has grown significantly since the Covid pandemic.

There is a worrying trend that more and more younger individuals are thinking that abuse is a natural response to some slight.The first refuge was opened in 1979, and the nine-bedroomed complex was filled within a week.

The service has had to grow with demand and now has 15 fully furnished flats and a standalone bungalow for families that may have disabilities.