Free Train Rides for UK Domestic Violence Victims

Misbar has discovered that the claim is true. In a program developed by Women’s Aid, survivors of domestic abuse with refuge space can travel for free across England, Scotland, and Wales. The scheme was launched in March 2020 with Great Western Rail and Southeastern after a Southeastern Manager watched a documentary about a refuge in southeast England. 

In order to ride for free, a survivor must reach out for support to Women’s Aid who will then confirm refuge vacancy. Once the vacancy is booked, the refuge will book a ticket for the survivor so they can travel for free. A ticket is then sent by the refuge to the mobile phone of the survivor, who will then travel like normal without having to declare she is fleeing from domestic abuse. Rail travel is free for all children under five years old. 

According to Human Rights Watch, as in many countries, reports of domestic violence have increased markedly in the UK since lockdown measures were instituted in March. Weekly calls and contacts to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for England and Wales had risen by 66 percent and visits to the website – where people can request a safe time to be contacted – had jumped by 950 percent compared with levels before the pandemic.

Any woman in the UK seeking refuge from domestic violence can get a free train ticket to a safe place by contacting the support organization Women’s Aid.