SEA raises over £70,000 thanks to BBC Radio 4 listeners and Starling Bank

Following a successful appeal launched by BBC Radio 4 earlier this year, we’re delighted to announce that Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) has successfully raised over £70,000. This incredible total includes a generous donation of £40,000 from Starling Bank. We would like to thank everyone who donated as part of this campaign.

The appeal was passionately presented by TV presenter and SEA Ambassador Ruth Dodsworth, who shared her personal experience of economic abuse. The campaign also highlighted the story of Rebecca, another victim-survivor, who found crucial support through SEA’s resources, enabling her to write off debts built up by the abuser and move on with her life.

Rebecca’s story

SEA raised a total of £70,522.29 through the appeal, which includes a donation of £40,000 from Starling Bank. This will help to ensure that victim-survivors receive the right response the first time they seek help. We train thousands of professionals from financial services, domestic abuse services and other frontline organisations to increase understanding of economic abuse and transform responses to it. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Starling Bank for their generous contribution and support.

Speaking about the BBC Radio 4 appeal, SEA’s interim CEO Sam Smethers commented: “This incredible response to our appeal demonstrates the power of community in standing together against economic abuse. In the last year, 5.5 million UK women experienced economic abuse at the hands of a current or ex-partner. That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness of this form of abuse and make sure victim-survivors get the right response the first time they ask for help. Thank you to everyone who supported our appeal, and to Starling Bank for their generous donation. Every donation helps us make a real difference in victim-survivors’ lives.”

Charity Wood, Head of Customer Experience at Starling Bank, added: “We’re proud to have been able to support this campaign, and the important work that Surviving Economic Abuse does. Anyone can experience economic abuse, but they might not know how their bank can support them. As well as supporting this vital work, we also pioneered a ‘Hide References’ feature to help victim-survivors block upsetting or abusive messages in payment references.”

Sign up for our SEA Change newsletter to be among the first to hear about how you can get involved and support us to save lives and stop economic abuse forever. We are pleased to announce that our next appeal will be as part of The Big Give’s Women and Girls Match Fund next month, which will match all donations up to £10,000 for a week! Sign up to receive updates on this campaign.