In the early 1970s, domestic violence was not recognised by law or society as a crime. It was considered a “private matter.” Women like Jenny had nowhere to go. Police often refused to intervene, and families urged women to “go back home.”

But in 1971, one woman — Erin Pizzey — decided that silence was no longer acceptable. She opened the door of her own home at 2 Belmont Terrace, Chiswick, creating the world’s first refuge for battered women and children.

It started with one terrified woman knocking on Erin’s door, seeking safety. Within weeks, dozens of women and children were sleeping on her floor. They came with bruises, fear, and broken spirits — but also with courage, resilience, and a fierce will to survive.

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A Revolution in Compassion

What made Chiswick Women’s Aid extraordinary wasn’t just that it offered beds. It offered belief. Erin and her volunteers listened to stories that had never been heard before — of women beaten, isolated, humiliated, and terrified.

They offered three things survivors had been denied:

• Safety: A locked door between them and their abuser.
• Validation: A recognition that what was happening was not their fault.
• Community: Other women who understood their pain and stood beside them.

In this new environment, many women began to heal for the first time. Children who had known only violence saw gentleness and calm. The house became a symbol of what safety could look like — and what justice might one day become.

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The Legacy of Belmont Terrace

Word spread quickly. Women came from across the UK — even from abroad. Soon the small house couldn’t contain the demand, and Chiswick Women’s Aid expanded, becoming Refuge, a nationwide charity that continues to support thousands of women and children every year.

Erin Pizzey’s work also transformed law enforcement and public policy. Her advocacy helped lead to:

• The recognition of domestic violence as a crime.
• The creation of protective legislation (like restraining orders).
• The establishment of women’s shelters worldwide.

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The Psychology of Escape

From a neuroscientific and psychological standpoint, Jenny’s story illustrates a crucial fact:
When a victim decides to leave an abusive partner, her brain is in survival mode. The amygdala (the brain’s fear centre) floods the body with adrenaline and cortisol. Rational thinking narrows — the only focus becomes escape.

At the same time, victims often experience trauma bonding — a cycle of fear and intermittent kindness that makes leaving emotionally complex. This is why having someone — like that neighbour, or Erin — who believes and acts can be life-saving. It interrupts the trauma loop and activates the prefrontal cortex, allowing the victim to make clear, life-preserving decisions.

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Why It Still Matters Today

More than fifty years later, the need for refuge remains as urgent as ever. On average, two women a week are killed by a current or former partner in the UK. And yet, the seed planted at Belmont Terrace continues to grow — in every shelter, hotline, and safe house that stands between violence and survival.

Jenny’s story is not just one of escape. It’s a story of rebirth — of how courage, community, and compassion created a movement that gave countless women a second chance at life.

— Linda C J Turner

Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment

©Linda C J Turner

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