Domestic abuse referrals 'could double' in 2025

A community interest company supporting domestic abuse survivors is expecting referrals to "double" in 2025.

Phoenix Rising CIC, in Torbay, provides support and healing to women across Devon who have experienced domestic abuse.

Founder Claire Knight said the company had "expanded so much" over 2024, adding that referrals from 2023 had increased by 200%.

"It's probably going to double this year," she added.

Ms Knight said there were 88 referrals in 2023 and the figure increased to 321 in 2024.

She said the company was in the process of transforming into a charity which she said would "open doors for more funding".

Ms Knight added: "We've nearly finished developing a course for women that have been through sexual abuse.

"We want to expand, funding dependent. That's one of the reasons why we are developing into a charity - because it will open doors for more funding."

Ms Knight said she experienced her first abusive relationship during her early 20s.

"I was very young, very vulnerable," she said. "I had been living on my own since the age of 16.

"Along came this man that was absolutely charming, promised all the things that I wanted to hear.

"When you're lonely and you're vulnerable you want someone to come in and sweep you up and help you."

Ms Knight said it led to her and her three children, all aged under six at the time, "fleeing to a women's refuge".

She said Phoenix Rising CIC provided women with "tools to learn to empower themselves".

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].