Southeastern Funds Free Counselling for Domestic Abuse Survivors in Kent

Southeastern has teamed up with Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse Service to offer free counselling to 100 survivors of domestic abuse in Canterbury, Ashford, Folkestone, and Hythe. The initiative, supported by a £32,492 grant from Southeastern’s Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF), provides 12 trauma‑informed one-to-one counselling sessions, with the option for additional support where needed.

Domestic abuse remains a widespread problem across England and Wales. Around 1.7 million women have experienced such abuse, and violence against women and girls accounts for 20% of all recorded crime. Survivors are three times more likely to attempt suicide and two to three times more likely to develop depression, highlighting the urgent need for targeted mental health support.

The counselling sessions will be offered in person, online, or by phone, giving survivors flexible access to care aimed at supporting both their mental wellbeing and long-term futures.

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 its launch in 2024, Southeastern’s CCIF has distributed over £500,000 to community initiatives across Kent, Sussex, and south‑east London that aim to reduce inequality and strengthen local resilience. The fund complements wider industry efforts, such as Rail to Refuge, which provides free rail travel to people escaping abuse, and a new trial 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.”

Image: Southeastern