Penny Beale Memorial Fund
44 Croft Road
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 3HE.

"Domestic violence statistics are about real people -you, me and the woman next door. On November 25th 2001 - International Domestic Violence Awareness Day - my daughter, Penny, was brutally murdered by her boyfriend here in Hastings, England. In the 18 months prior to her death the number of times Penny "fell down the stairs" and "bumped into the bathroom door" increased at an alarming rate. She was treated in hospital for various injuries including a cut to her head, requiring 8 stitches, which was caused by a blade.

On one occasion she told the ambulance crew how she had sustained her injuries and I hoped that at last she was going to take some action to prevent further pain. I had contacted various agencies for help and advice including the police. Penny was too frightened to make a statement to the police herself.

Finally Penny repeatedly asked her boyfriend to leave, but he always returned. I had requested that she be put on the Domestic Violence At Risk Register. I later learnt that the police had done the same when called to an incident at her home in February 2001. I also complained to the hospital after Penny was discharged in her boyfriend's company when she was due to be sectioned after a suicide attempt.

I felt as though I was regarded as a neurotic parent making a fuss over very little. I know now that domestic violence is so widespread the police and other agencies need the victim to take the first step. I stated to various agencies that my greatest fear was to be called to the morgue to identify the body. Sadly this was exactly what I was forced to do.

I cannot bring my daughter back, but I have set up the Penny Beale Memorial Fund to raise awareness of the extent of domestic violence and offer support and advice to victims.
If I can save one other life - then......."

Please support the fund.
Penny Beale Snr.

Are you a young person in a domestic violence situation, or do you know someone who is? Visit The Hideout www.thehideout.org.uk for advice and support.

The Survivor's Handbook is a free online resource from Women's Aid. Available in eleven community languages, it can be read online or downloaded as a pdf file at www.womensaid.org.uk/survivors-handbook.

SANCTUARY SCHEME
In touch Home Improvement Agency, Hastings & Rother are working together with the Safer Rother Partnership and the Safer Hastings Partnership to deliver a Sanctuary Scheme.
The scheme is centred around the needs of survivors of domestic abuse and/or hate crime, which enables them to remain in thir home and feel safe.
The scheme is free to anyone provided they are eligible.
There are three levels of sanctuary:
1.Sanctuary Basic - includes small alterations e.g. locks, door viewers.
2.Sanctuary Plus-the design of a safe room replacing the door with a half hour fire rated door. The room can be used as a safe haven until emergency services arrive.
3.Sanctuary Premier - includes all the above plus the installation of London or Birmingham bars to the Sanctuary doorframe.

Penny Beale Snr is willing to give talks and show the DVD to any interested organisation if expenses are covered (travel and accommodation if necessary) and a donation made to the Penny Beale Memorial Fund.
Penny has an enhanced CRB check.

On the 31st March 2006 the Royal Courts of Justice finally decided that Michael Moffat, who brutally murdered Penny Beale, should serve a term of 11 years.
The Home Office, after pressure from Penny's mother, have finally admitted that there were earlier records of police involvement with Michael Moffat, concerning domestic violence, that did not come to light at the trial.
Penny Beale Snr is continuing to campaign for an increase in the sentence. Moffat can apply for parole after 11 years and she believes that this should not be granted.