Hundreds descend on Dartmoor for Warrior Womens Walk
The event aims to show no woman is ever alone when dealing with trauma and abuse
Hundreds marched around Dartmoor yesterday for the Plymouth-based charity Trevi - on its annual Warrior Womens Walk.
On social media, bosses say they're 'so fortunate' to have hosted 'such an incredible event', adding 'together we are a force that cannot be stopped'.
It's the event's third year, and it continues to grow, with 450 'Warrior Women' descending on the countryside yesterday morning (5 October).
Speaking to us from Trevi, Mel Sevieri said: "It was always our aim to event more and more women back each year - and what we do support such a vital organisation.
"Statistics in Plymouth show we're at a higher average than the national levels for reports on domestic abuse - which is terriying.
"We could take a positive from that, though, because that could be that more of our women are feeling safer to report.
"Sadly, though, there is a violence against women and girls related phone call across the country every 30 seconds... we truly are at pandemic levels with this problem.
"I know far too many women who have been put in these situations - and that is exactly where Trevi comes in."
'It leaves you incredibly grateful'
Mel added that the Warrior Womens Walk is such a positive event.
She said: "I attended it myself before I worked at the charity, and it's just such an incredible place to be, where there are like-minded people coming together, supporting each other, with no judgement.
"It's one of those events which leaves you incredibly grateful for where you are, and the best thing is that you don't know what these women are feeling at the very start - and they could leave feeling really open, inspired, and connected with other people in similar situations to them.
"In the event, we have lots of dog walkers who stop and cheer us on - and with any of the events at Trevi, it's lovely when we see the public really getting behind us."
Yesterday, following the event, those at the charity said: "Today, hundreds of you came together and marched across Dartmoor for our third annual Warrior Women Walk.
"Each of you is a warrior in your own right, and together we are a force that cannot be stopped. Thank you to all of our wonderful walkers for coming out in strength and showing us just how incredible you all are.
"We’re so close to reaching our £30,000 fundraising goal this year! If you still have active fundraising pages, don’t forget to share your incredible photos from today and your link with friends and family.
"We’re fortunate to host this incredible event year after year, and it’s all thanks to you.
"That’s a wrap for Warrior Women 2024—see you next year?"
Read more: Plymouth-based charity raises more than ÂŁ23,000 to support domestic abuse survivors