THE CEO of a Basingstoke-based domestic abuse charity has set off on a 310-mile trek to reach out to victims.

As previously reported in The Gazette, Gerrie Jordan hopes to raise awareness of domestic abuse through her charity challenge, and let victims know that if she can walk to their town, then the Taking Steps charity can support them and they can ask for help.

The 49-year-old set off on Monday from the Taking Steps offices in Branton Close, South Ham, heading towards Aldershot.

She said: “It is very much a challenge for me, it’s going to kill me but what’s the point of doing something that’s easy? What I’m asking victims to do isn’t going to be easy. If I can walk to the town, then Taking Steps can get to you.”

The mother-of-four will walk to numerous towns during her challenge, and will head to Farnborough after Aldershot.

She said: “As a society we make it very difficult for victims to come forward because the first thing we say is ‘why don’t you leave?’and it places the emphasis back on the victim. Let’s make it easier for victims to come forward – male and female victims.”

One in four women and one in six men are affected by domestic abuse.

Gerrie added: “There are around 32 incidents before someone reports it. A perpetrator will go through a period of remorse and revert back to the nice charming person their victim fell in love with. It’s in our nature to forgive. We want to believe that people will change.”

It is hoped that the mission will generate £10,000 for each of the 20 towns that Gerrie is visiting, which will enable the charity to provide support and a 24-hour help line.

For more details visit takingstepsproject.com.

Or to donate to Gerrie’s challenge text GTSP15 £ (the amount) to 70070.