At a high-profile reception hosted at St James’s Palace, the wife of King Charles, Queen Camilla, delivered a powerful message of support for survivors of domestic abuse. The event celebrated 15 years of the Women of the World initiative.
Addressing survivors who endured violence and abuse, Camilla offered heartfelt words: “To every survivor of every kind of violence, many of whom have not been able to tell their stories or who have not been believed, please know that you are not alone. We stand with you and alongside you today and every day in solidarity, sorrow, and sympathy.”
She emphasized the importance of telling these stories: “Every woman has a story. And these stories must be told. Because when we live in a culture of silence, we empower violence against women and girls,” she said.
Camilla also addressed the issue of educating boys on healthy emotional management and the significance of teaching children what constitutes consent—what is assault—and that these concepts must be understood early in life to prevent future harm. She highlighted the need to tackle online hatred: “It is in the online space where boys and young men absorb many of the values they will carry through to adulthood,” she stated.
“Thank you for your work, thank you all here for joining this important dialogue,” Camilla added, expressing her gratitude that more boys and men are now part of the conversation. They seek change and prevent harm by addressing these issues before it begins.
This reception underscored the ongoing importance of advocating for survivors while also looking ahead to educating future generations on healthy relationships and consent.