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A new partnership has launched offering free train travel for those fleeing domestic violence.

Great Western Railway has teamed up with Women’s Aid to establish its ‘rail to refuge’ scheme ahead of International Women’s Day which takes place on Sunday (March 8).

The initiative will allow women and their family to travel on GWR trains for free as they seek shelter.

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People escaping domestic abuse are usually advised to seek refuge services at a considerable distance from their perpetrator, but for many, raising the cash to pay for a train ticket can be very difficult. This is especially true for people experiencing economic abuse, who may have no access to cash.

The ‘rail to refuge’ scheme aims to remove this barrier by offering free train tickets for women or men, and their children, to travel to a recognised refuge. From today, survivors can access the tickets through the member services of Women’s Aid, Welsh Women’s Aid, Scottish Women’s Aid and Imkaan, once they have received an offer of a refuge place.

Members of these organisations can book the tickets via a bespoke booking system for the people they are referring to, or receiving in, their refuge accommodation.

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Train companies are extending a scheme offering free travel to those fleeing domestic abuse in Great Britain until the end of March next year.

The "Rail to Refuge" scheme is a joint initiative involving rail operators and the charity Women's Aid.

The companies provide free tickets for women, men and children travelling to refuge services.

Charities dealing with domestic abuse have reported a surge in appeals for help since the start of the pandemic. And after the first lockdown was lifted there was an increase in those seeking refuge places. Charities are now preparing for a repeat.

Nicki Norman, acting chief executive at Women's Aid, welcomed the news that the "important" scheme was being extended, saying: "Thanks to the rail industry removing the financial barriers of travel, hundreds of women have left abusive relationships and been able to get to safety."

She added: "Women face huge barriers in leaving an abuser. They tell us that they simply cannot afford to leave because the perpetrator has controlled their money and they have none of their own. Many women and children escape to a refuge with nothing at all."

And many have to travel considerable distances to escape their abusers, moving to different local authorities.

Since the first lockdown in the spring, train operators have provided free tickets to more than 600 adults and 200 children, according to the Rail Delivery Group, which brings together train companies across Britain.

It says the majority of those who have been helped said they would not have travelled if the journey had not been paid for.

The tickets are available through Women's Aid in England, Wales and Scotland; Imkaan, which specifically helps black, Asian and minority ethnic women; and Respect, which runs the Men's Advice Line.