Southeastern is working with Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse Service to provide free counselling sessions to 100 survivors in Canterbury, Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe.
The project, backed by a £32,492 grant from Southeastern’s Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF), will offer survivors of domestic abuse 12 sessions of specialist one-to-one trauma‑informed counselling sessions to support their mental health.
Across England and Wales, 1.7m women have experienced domestic abuse, with violence against women and girls accounting for 20% of all recorded crime. Women who experience domestic abuse are three times more likely to attempt suicide and two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression.
The project aims to help support survivors improve their mental health and their futures through support delivered in person, online or by phone – with the option to extend beyond 12 sessions where additional support is needed.
Adam Downing, Southeastern's Safeguarding Liaison Manager said:
“We are proud to partner with Rising Sun, who each and every day work diligently to make a difference to the lives of survivors of domestic abuse as they build brighter futures.
“As a railway we are dedicated to doing more to address violence against women on and off our network. This is why, alongside the work of our dedicated safeguarding team, we are forming partnerships with organisations across our communities – from Missing People offering free travel to survivors of abuse to White Ribbon who speak up for change.”
Since launching in 2024, Southeastern’s CCIF has awarded over £500,000 to community initiatives that reduce inequality and strengthen local resilience across Kent, Sussex and south‑east London.
The fund sits alongside the rail industry’s practical support for survivors, including Rail to Refuge providing free rail travel for people escaping abuse and a new trial in partnership with the Rail Delivery Group, Solace Women’s Aid and InPost to deliver essential items from unclaimed lost property directly to women’s refuges.
Fran Ellis CEO of Rising Sun, said:
“Here at Rising Sun we provide life changing, and often lifesaving support to survivors of domestic abuse in Canterbury, Ashford and Folkestone & Hythe. Our specialist counselling service is just one way that we do this, and we are so grateful to Southeastern for recognising the importance of this service. Through their funding of £32,492, they are ensuring that survivors are able to receive the trauma-informed support they need, when they need it most.”
