RiTA has been established to develop and co-create practical, innovative solutions to address the challenges that prevent survivors of domestic abuse in rural areas from disclosing abuse and accessing the support they need. While national conversations about violence against women and girls (VAWG) have advanced, the UK’s response remains predominantly urban-centric, often failing to reflect the complex realities of rural life. Having worked across multiple sectors on systems change at the national level, I observed the persistent absence of rural perspectives in policy, strategy, and commissioning. Growing up on a farm in rural Shropshire and working in rural family law and domestic abuse services, I saw firsthand how physical and social isolation, limited services, rural poverty, and patriarchal norms come together to create unique and often unseen barriers to safety.

 

The catalyst for founding RiTA has been realising that the change called for by the excellent Captive & Controlled report, commissioned by the National Rural Crime Network in 2019, has not occurred. This research revealed how rural survivors are systematically neglected and silenced. Frustratingly, they still are, and I believe that, together, we can change this. However, it requires a dedicated organisation, a movement if you like, to lead this change. In 2023, I was inspired to undertake a Churchill Fellowship. This took me across the USA and Canada, and into conversations with leading experts in Australia, to explore how rural communities develop creative and coordinated responses to domestic abuse. I met survivors, advocates, and frontline workers who were building trust, adapting models, and challenging isolation, often with limited resources but deep local knowledge. This experience, along with the learning I have gained from others abroad and here in the UK, has cemented the need for an organisation dedicated to tackling rural domestic abuse and VAWG/C (we want to ensure that all children are represented). Over the last 12 months, I have dedicated my time and voice to raising the status of rural domestic abuse, building relationships and partnerships to understand what is needed and how change can - and needs to - happen. This has led to RiTA.

 

At RiTA, our focus is on collaborating with commissioners, partnerships, and rural professionals to raise awareness of rural domestic abuse and support the development of rural-specific Coordinated Community Responses (CCR) that are grounded in the realities of place, community, and context. We aim to help rural areas develop effective, sustainable, and community-led responses that prevent abuse, increase safety, and improve outcomes for survivors. Additionally, I will continue to support policy partners in leading national advocacy and influencing efforts, ensuring that rural voices are not only heard but also actively shape the policies and systems that affect their lives. RiTA exists to ensure rural survivors are no longer invisible and that rural communities are recognised, supported, and safe.

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Judith, Founder, & just one member of a growing team of Change Makers