13/09/2024
***TRIGGER WARNING – article contains descriptions of domestic and sexual abuse***
I have just spent 90 minutes in the company of Lorraine Curston, the founder and driving force behind Dawn's New Horizon – a charity that supports the survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. The conversation was harrowing, yet inspirational as Lorraine opened up about her own domestic abuse story and how the feeling of being ‘trapped’ inspired her to want to help and support others. Nobody should have to go through what Lorraine did. But sadly, this is repeated in many homes across the country. Lorraine is desperate to change this. Here’s her story…
Lorraine had come from a broken home. She craved for someone to love her. She met a man who she thought was her saviour. Just two weeks into the relationship, Lorraine received her first slap to the face. Lorraine fell pregnant and was told to ‘get rid of it’. She didn’t. The abuse continued throughout the pregnancy. The birth didn’t change anything either. Lorraine’s whole life was controlled – what she could wear, where she could go, who she could see, and what she could do. She would repeatedly end up in hospital covered in bruises. A few nurses started to join the dots, but back then she would often get asked about the bruises with her husband present, or the other side of the curtain. This was not a safe space where Lorraine could open up. Time went on, her daughter started to grow up, and Lorraine’s abuse continued. Repeatedly being beaten and r***d was Lorraine’s life. Her husband had alienated all of her friends and family. There was no way out – nobody close that she could turn to for help: “I was trapped; I did not have a choice to leave. After one particular beating, I went to the police. I was simply told to go back to him – he didn’t mean it.”
When Lorraine’s daughter was 12, she was old enough to recognise the abuse that was happening behind the curtains of her own home. She begged her mum to leave. If Lorraine ever mentioned anything to her husband, it triggered another session of being beaten. Often her daughter would be asked to leave the room by her father so he could continue to beat and r**e Lorraine behind a closed door. Eventually, Lorraine took the brave decision to take her daughter’s advice and reach out for help. She was moved to a safe house. Within two weeks, her husband had managed to get the location of the safe house from her daughter’s school. He now became her stalker. Lorraine had no bed and lived in the comfort of a fitted wardrobe. That was the best safe place she could get. A new safe house came, and again he found her, often sitting outside in a car or pressing his face against the window. Thankfully, new legislation and procedures are now in place to make sure that these mistakes are a thing of the past.
It took time for Lorraine, continued bravery and a few court orders to finally escape the control he had placed on her life. Lorraine went back to working in retail and was also a dinner lady in schools, but the desire to help others who were going through domestic abuse was overwhelming. There had to be a better way to support survivors. In 2008, Lorraine saved up enough money to get a mobile phone and started to place cards in nightclubs and doctor surgeries, under the name of Dawn’s New Horizon, a friendly face on the other end of a 24/7 phone number for people to reach out to. Her phone rang repeatedly, from people of all ages: “I couldn’t believe the response I was getting. So many people needed my help. I’ll never forget one phone call where a 76-year-old lady bravely opened up to me about her husband pouring boiling hot water over her head.”
Wanting to do even more to support people, in 2012, Lorraine opened up her first Dawn’s New Horizon shop on Cannerby Lane in Sprowston. The aim was to sell items as a charity shop to help fund essential items for survivors of domestic abuse: “When you leave, you often have nothing. No clothes, no toiletries…nothing. I wanted to change that.” Lorraine worked night and day to raise donations and funding to keep her dream alive. The shop became an essential hub for people wanting advice and to connect with others. It became the safe space that Lorraine had needed all those years ago.
When Covid 19 and lockdown came, cases of domestic and sexual abuse rocketed. Lorraine fought against the authorities to keep her shop open, she wasn’t going to close her doors to people who needed her the most and the shop became a new hub of offering food and advice. Lockdown had also increased a new trend of abuse that Dawn’s New Horizon was dealing with – elder abuse. With people being restricted to bubbles and only seeing family members, younger people were now abusing their parents or grandparents, often stealing food and money.
In 2023, Lorraine had outgrown her first shop – so high was the demand for her services. A new premise at 12 Corbet Avenue was found, and in September of that year, she opened her brand new shop. Roll on one year and I was invited in to mark the 1-year anniversary of her new dawn. I have to say, I was very impressed when I walked in there. The shop was bustling with people, all looking through the incredible range of stock. I was surprised by the quality and pricing of the clothes. Lorraine is very keen to not outprice people who need items the most. It’s not the way she does things. It really is an Aladdin’s Cave in there. Books, clothing, jewellery, bags, household items, furniture…you name it, Dawn's New Horizon sells it!
All of the items on sale are to help fund essential items and support for those who need it. This was evident with a new delivery of sanitary products that had just arrived by the till, ready to be passed out to those in need. There is also a warm, welcoming therapy room where people can go to speak to Lorraine and get advice. All services are 100% confidential and can be accessed via a drop-in basis, or via appointment. The staff in the shop are trained every 3 months to receive the latest support and guidance in helping survivors of domestic abuse. That’s the overwhelming feeling you get when you walk in – a feeling of safety and trust.
In recognition of her inspirational journey and services to the local community, Lorraine was made a dame in 2023 and even received a personal letter from the then Prime Minister. But Lorraine isn’t doing it for the recognition, her empathetic understanding of domestic abuse is on another level, and she is using every fibre to make sure that she can do all she can to help and support others. She has even partnered up with Michelle, a local hairdresser at Aspire Hair Salon on Cannerby Lane, to offer free haircuts to help raise the self-esteem of those in need.
Dawn's New Horizon is there for you, and is open to both men and women, either face-to-face, over the phone or online. The wonderful support of this charity is designed to help people take control of their lives back. Lorraine always wants to do more, and her dream is to be able to support people in the future with accommodation. The whole operation is non-profit making and the charity are always looking for new donations. They are so busy that they are also looking for more volunteers to help in the shop.
Dame Lorraine, we are so proud of everything you have achieved. You are an inspiration. Please help by visiting the shop and by sharing and spreading the word of this incredibly important charity.
