What is Domestic Violence, Really? And Why Do We Still Have to Talk About It?

Let’s not sugarcoat it: domestic violence is a plague we still haven’t managed to kick out of society. It's the silent epidemic happening behind closed doors, across all postcodes, income brackets, professions, and social circles. It doesn't discriminate. But somehow, we still live in a world where it's shrugged off as "just a domestic" by some people in power who frankly shouldn't be in charge of a kettle, let alone a police report.

So, what is domestic violence?

Domestic violence (DV) isn’t just physical violence—though that’s what people often picture. It’s emotional abuse, financial control, coercive behaviour, threats, isolation, sexual abuse, and even spiritual abuse (yes, that’s a thing). It’s when one person uses manipulation, fear, or force to control another person within a relationship. And it happens more often than any of us would like to admit.

And here’s the kicker: on average, two women are murdered every week in England and Wales by a current or former partner. Let that sink in. Two. Every week.

According to the Office for National Statistics, around 1.7 million women in the UK experienced domestic abuse in 2023 alone. That’s not a typo. That’s a crisis.

The system is broken. And no, we’re not being dramatic.

When women finally find the courage to ask for help, they’re often met with systems that gaslight them, ignore them, or downright put them in more danger. Survivors are asked to “prove” abuse, often while still living with their abuser. And don’t even get us started on what happens if children are involved—spoiler alert: it’s a Kafkaesque nightmare of red tape, social services, and court orders that rarely protect the ones who need it most.

Which brings us to the point of this blog (yes, there is one)...

Enter: Dope Soul Village & Led By Dreams

We’re two women-led, female-fuelled powerhouses who are done waiting for someone else to fix this mess. Sam (founder of Dope Soul Village) and Shelley (founder of Led By Dreams) met through their work in supporting women and realised their visions were not just aligned—they were identical.

We’re tired of the endless funding applications, the “awareness campaigns” with no action, and the empty promises from people who’ve never had to pack their life into a Tesco bag to escape an abuser.

So, we decided to take matters into our own (perfectly manicured) hands.

Our Mission: Build Actual Safe Spaces

We are working together to open women’s shelters across the UK that don’t just provide a bed and a “good luck, hun” pat on the back. These will be dignified, fully-equipped homes with support services, therapy, childcare, job training, education, and more. A fresh start—not just survival.

And we’re doing it with zero tolerance for bureaucracy, endless form-filling, or victim-blaming.

But here’s the truth: we can’t do it alone.

Building shelters isn’t cheap. Shocking, we know. That’s why we’re fundraising the old-fashioned way—by asking for help.

If you want to be part of the solution (and honestly, why wouldn’t you?), here’s how you can get involved:

💸 Donate to Our GoFundMe

DONATE HERE 
Every fiver brings us closer to another safe home.

👕 Buy Some Badass Feminist Merch

Shop our sustainable, feminist T-shirts, hoodies and mugs at www.dopesoulvillage.com.
Not only do you get to look fierce, but proceeds go directly to funding women’s shelters. Fashion with a purpose? Yes, please.

📢 Be Loud. Be Annoying. Share Everything.

If you see a post from Dope Soul Village or Led By Dreams—like it, comment on it, save it, share it. The algorithm is basically a needy ex and needs constant attention. Help us get seen.

Final Thought (Or Rant, Depending How You Read It)

Domestic violence isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s a humanity issue. And while we wish we could wave a wand and fix it all overnight, the truth is, this is a community effort.

If we all do our bit—donate what we can, share what we see, and uplift the women fighting for others—we can build a world where no woman has to choose between abuse or homelessness.

Because the fact that we’re still having this conversation in 2025? Frankly, it’s embarrassing.

Let’s do better. Together.

With sass, strength, and zero tolerance for patriarchal nonsense,
Sam & Shelley
Dope Soul Village x Led By Dreams