Rachel Riley reveals she came to the aid of an abused friend
Rachel Riley reveals she came to the aid of a friend suffering domestic abuse after learning of her plight during lockdown
Rachel Riley has revealed that she came to the aid of one of her friends suffering domestic abuse, after learning of her plight during lockdown.
The Countdown whizz, 34, spoke out as she got candid about the abuse so many more women are experiencing behind closed doors.
She told The Mirror: ‘I’ve been supporting a friend who I didn’t know was in a situation of domestic violence for some years. While I can’t go into specifics, I know COVID has made things more difficult.
Helping hand: Rachel Riley has revealed that she came to the aid of one of her friends suffering domestic abuse, after learning of her plight during lockdown. Pictured in May 2019
It’s been so hard for women in her situation, without direct access to support services. I saw a poster that said “Domestic abusers have always worked from home” and that’s so true.
“There’s no outlet currently. People are trapped at home, the kids aren’t at school and police and social services are running a limited service.’
The TV personality is preparing to present the 2020 National Lottery Awards which, for the first time, will be honouring people who have made a positive impact on the community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Word of warning: The Countdown whizz, 34, spoke out as she got candid about the abuse so many more women are experiencing behind closed doors. Pictured in March 2019
One of the bodies that caught the mother-of-one’s eye was the Woman’s Trust, a London-based charity providing therapy and counselling for women who have survived domestic abuse.
Rachel has been spending lockdown with her husband Pasha Kovalev, 40, their seven-month-old daughter Maven Aria, and her Russian mother-in-law Galina, whose month-long visit to the UK was extended amid the pandemic.
Rachel and Pasha, who became first-time parents to Maven in December, have been enjoyed extended time off at home amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Lucy Horobin, Rachel recently admitted the countrywide lockdown has been something of a blessing for the family as they have been given ‘enforced maternity and paternity leave’.
Family first: Rachel has been spending lockdown with her husband Pasha Kovalev, 40, and their seven-month-old daughter Maven Aria
Jamie asked Rachel how she’s feeling about new parenthood in lockdown, saying: ‘Now Rachel I know you had a baby at the end of last year, how are you adjusting to parenthood in lockdown, how’s that been for you?’
Rachel responded: ‘Well we’re quite fortunate in a way, I was supposed to be back at work, Pasha was supposed to be on tour, and it’s kind of enforced maternity and paternity leave we didn’t have before so we’re loving it…
‘She’s just over five months, I’ve left her in bed in kind of the same sleeping position as Pash, if you hear crying it could be either one of them I have no idea.’
Jamie admitted lockdown ‘fits’ having a young baby, to which Rachel responded: ‘Yeah we couldn’t go out in the evenings anyway because she refused a bottle…
‘So I needed to be with her and I just developed all the bad habits they tell you not to do because I’m here…
Family: Rachel and Pasha welcomed their beloved baby daughter to the world in December
‘My mother in law, she was over from Russia visiting me and she got here with the Russian borders closing so I’ve got a live-in babysitter as well so as lockdowns go, we’re really lucky and can’t complain.’
Lucy queried: ‘Are you coping well with each other as well? I mean I’ll put my hands up and say my boyfriend and I have had a fair few tiffs during lockdown. It can get a little bit much sometimes, how have you faired?’
Rachel said: ‘I mean we’re just in the new baby glow…
‘Thankfully the weather has been lovely and every day I wear my sling which is guaranteed some sleep and I just got to the park and the sun is shining , and all the ducklings are coming out so it’s quite lovely.
Speaking to MailOnline, Rachel went on: ‘I’ve developed bad habits because there’s now this enforced maternity leave that Pasha and I wouldn’t have had otherwise. So we are home with Maven all the time. That means we’ve got a very happy baby!’
Happy: Rachel said of her family time in lockdown, ‘I mean we’re just in the new baby glow’
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