Women's Refuge accused of accepting 'blood money'

Royal Rampage Promotions' upcoming charity boxing match will raise funds for Women's Refuge. Photo / Getty

Women's Refuge has been accused of accepting "blood money" after a charity boxing match announced they were raising funds for the charity.

The nationwide charity, supporting women suffering domestic violence, announced via social media they were chosen to receive funds from an upcoming boxing event organised by Royal Rampage Promotions April next year.

Women's Refuge announced this on their Facebook page stating, "We understand that for many of the boxers taking part (both female & male), domestic violence is an issue close to their hearts, having been survivors of and witnesses to the devastation it causes. We are usually overlooked as a recipient for larger events such as this, so we'd like to extend our gratitude to the organisers and the boxers for their support of the work we do to help women and children."

The post was subject to heavy criticism from the public, some accusing the charity of accepting "blood money".

One user went as far as saying "break those jaws, teeth, souls and spirit. blacken those eyes and concuss [your] opponents, then pat yourselves on the back for 'giving' to terrorised women and children".

However some were more supportive and one user applauded the event saying "Good on you Royal Rampage! This is a skilled sport not abuse, sad people see this as a bad choice of charity."

Royal Rampage Promotions has come out and defended their decision.

A written statement on their website said, "[We] would like everyone to know we are sensitive around the fact that some people may have probably had incidents sooner than others, and we want you to know it is natural to feel sensitive to the idea of boxing.

"We at Royal Rampage are not trying to disrespect anyone and we want to be sensitive around anyone that has suffered abuse in any shape or form in the past and possibly currently."

Founder and organiser Lisa Lewis was a victim of abuse and Women's Refuge was a charity she held close to her heart.

"I never chose to have someone hit me. I never chose to have someone psychologically fill me head with such abuse that I actually thought something was wrong with me.

"Women's Refuge helped me take the steps I needed to give myself confidence back even walking to the letterbox originally was fearful for me," she said.

She took up boxing as a sport and found it therapeutic.

"Boxing for me was to give me a sense of empowerment and strength back that I felt had been taken away from me from my assaulter," she said.

She said the skills required for boxing was different to a victim of abuse.

"Two boxers walk to the boxing ring willingly after training physically and preparing mentally.

"A victim is never prepared for an attack," she said.

Women's Refuge also defended the event via a Facebook post and stated the backlash highlighted the confusion of what abuse meant in our society.

"It's not about aggression or punching-- it's all about power and control. And while physical violence can be part of an abusive relationship, there are many more ways for a perpetrator to abuse without using his fists.

"It's very easy for people to draw a direct link between DV and physical without really considering the core of an abusive relationship and how it manifests as physical violence- as these are the examples that we see over and over."

There are currently seven confirmed women boxers set to participate in next year's event in Auckland.

No one from Women's Refuge was available for comment.