SUPERSTAR actor Patrick Stewart has launched a new scholarship – to tackle domestic violence.
And the actor and Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield revealed it is a cause close to his heart as his mother was a victim.
Stewart is also patron of Refuge, which is a national charity supporting women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
The world-famous actor said he was honoured to be asked to give his name to the scholarship.
Mirfield-born Stewart said: “I am proud to offer this scholarship for the study of children and domestic violence.
“I have very personal cause to support work in this area: when I was a child I witnessed violence against my mother.
“This is why I accepted the role of patron of Refuge. I have seen first-hand the work this incredible charity does to support women and children escaping domestic violence and I know that it really does save lives.”
The recruitment process for the talented graduate got underway this week for what will be the first-ever PhD scholarship between a university and Refuge.
The award, which could be worth up to £25,000, will be at the University of Huddersfield and will be called the Patrick Stewart / Refuge Scholarship for the Study of Children and Domestic Violence.
Refuge, which operates a network of safe houses for women and children across the country, along with a range of other domestic violence services, was approached by the University’s Prof Adele Jones, the Director of the Centre for Applied Childhood Studies, to consider creating the scholarship.
The centre is one of the leading research units in its field and is nationally and internationally renowned for its work relating to children and their families.
She said: “Refuge is an organisation dedicated to helping women and children live in safety, free from the threat of domestic violence in all its forms.
“The scholarship offers a great opportunity for a researcher considering doctoral study in the area of children and domestic violence. It will be offered with a fee waiver for three years and an annual bursary of £12k to £13k.”
Sandra Horley, OBE, chief executive of Refuge, said: “Where domestic violence occurs in a family household, 90% of incidents are witnessed by children and in 50% of these cases children are directly abused.
“Thousands of children are terrorised and brutalised every day yet services and funding for children is woefully lacking. Meeting the needs of children who experience domestic violence is essential and Refuge is delighted to be part of this collaboration.”
