Queen praises London domestic abuse support centre
Camilla says the Asian Women's Resource Centre has changes the lives of survivors
Last updated 20th Feb 2025
The Queen has paid tribute to staff from a leading domestic abuse centre for changing the lives of the survivors it helps.
Camilla's words of praise followed a private meeting with a small group of women supported by the Asian Women's Resource Centre (AWRC) celebrating 45 years of vital help for those from all cultures across London.
The AWRC tackles a range of issues from forced marriages and coercive control to honour-based abuse and is also a women's centre providing holistic support, like art therapy, from its offices in Harlesden, north-west London.
When introduced to a worker specialising in female genital mutilation from Forward, a charity campaigning to end violence against women and girls, the Queen told her: "It's terrifying isn't it, that it's still happening."
After chatting for more than half an hour with the survivors, the Queen walked upstairs to meet AWRC staff and told one worker about her conversation.
She said: "So wonderful talking to those survivors and hearing what a difference it makes to their lives."
The Queen has a long-term interest in supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and has visited many units supporting those abused.
During a conversation with another worker, Camilla added: "They were absolutely wonderful downstairs, you've obviously changed their lives."