DOZENS of domestic abuse victims across the Black Country are about to get the support they need thanks to the “overwhelming” response to a support group’s handbag campaign.

Stourbridge group Survivors of Domestic Abuse (SODA) held an appeal throughout Christmas, asking people to fill handbags with toiletries to give to those who leave relationships without basic essentials.

The handbags were then left at the ‘donation station’ at Reflect Body and Skin Clinic, in Vicarage Passage, whose manager, Lisa Evans-Reid, said: “Our Christmas tree was overwhelming surrounded.”

Sam Billingham, founder of SODA, said: “The generosity of people at this time of year is fantastic. We must remember that Christmas isn’t always a fairy-tale with one in four women and one in six men becoming a victim of domestic abuse during their lifetime.

“Many people fleeing from abusive relationships often leave with very little or nothing at all, other than the clothes on their back.

“We wanted to do something for those people this year and have received toiletries, books, chocolates and teddies which have now been taken to local agencies to distribute to people who find themselves in refuges because of coercive control and domestic abuse.”

The handbags have since been donated to The Haven, in Wolverhampton, a group which provides refuge accommodation and resettlement support for women and children affected by domestic violence.

Jade Secker, of The Haven, said: “The donations made to SODA were lovely and we are so grateful for all of the support.”

People can still donate handbags and toiletries to SODA. For more information on how to do this visit www.sodaHQ.org