Blog

"The most difficult thing is that he can’t express himself. He can’t tell me his needs."

Viki's* son was born after she experienced modern slavery. However, he struggled with speech delays, and they struggled to get the support they needed. This is their story. Read more

"When I look at my children I wonder if they will suffer the same punishment as me."

Sami* experienced modern slavery. For a long time, she has worried about how her experience may impact her children. This is her story. Read more

"People think children don’t get stressed, but they do. The lockdown has really affected them."

This summer, give children recovering from domestic abuse the opportunity to get back outside and active again. Donations are doubled until 15th June 2021. Read more

"My daughter can barely remember what life was like before Covid."

This summer, give children recovering from domestic abuse the opportunity to get back outside and active again. Donations are doubled until 15th June 2021. Read more

"It has been a great learning experience": what it's like to be a communications intern at Hestia

Gabriella shares her experience of interning with Hestia's communications team during the pandemic Read more

"She would stay at these houses without pay, and would cook, clean and look after the children."

Marcia's* story as a victim of Financial Fraud (criminal exploitation) Read more

"Thinking his life would be in danger if his captors returned, Hoang* ran away."

Hoang's* Story, of being a victim of forced-gang related criminality Read more

"James was 16 when he was first lured into criminal exploitation."

James'* story of being a British victim of forced gang-related criminality Read more

Life in a refuge: "The impact of the lockdown on the children is tough"

Nina, a Children and Family worker at a Hestia refuge, reflects on the impact of lockdown on children who've experienced trauma Read more

"When I was referred to the Hearing Voices group, everything changed"

Claudette's Story of hearing voices and finding the support she needs Read more

Coronavirus: For victims of modern slavery, being told to stay inside can be a trigger to their past

Eliza, Team Manager for Hestia's Modern Slavery Response team, reflects on how lockdown is impacting the people she supports Read more

Coronavirus: "How do you explain to a young child that you can’t hug them anymore?"

Tamara, an Area Manager at Hestia, reflects on what life is like for women, children and staff at our domestic abuse refuges Read more

Latest

Brent Cove Drop-in

A safe and friendly place you can come to for professional support if you are struggling to cope with your mental health.
Hestia's 'Journey to Refuge' report reveals tragic impact of domestic abuse on children

Three-quarters of children heard or witnessed the domestic abuse that their mother experienced, with over half also experiencing emotional, verbal or physical abuse themselves at the hands of the perpetrator say crisis charity Hestia.
"You can tell they have experienced trauma. They don’t know how to say it, but their body language is telling us."

Raaj is a Children and Family Worker, supporting children in Hestia's domestic abuse refuges. She tells us what it's like for mothers and children arriving at a refuge.
"I decided to leave because I didn’t want my youngest son to have to witness what my eldest had."

"We were terrified": Tara* and her children experienced domestic abuse. This is their story of fleeing and finding a refuge.

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