The Rail to Refuge scheme, which was due to end next week, is being continued by train companies to help more people escape domestic abuse and reach a safe refuge.

The scheme includes South Western Railway, which serves Godalming, Farncombe, Milford and Witley stations.

The decision comes as figures show four survivors a day, on average, have been using the scheme to access free train travel.

Rail to Refuge is a joint initiative between rail companies and Women's Aid in which train operators cover the cost of train tickets for men, women and children travelling to refuge accommodation. Since April 2020, train operators have provided free tickets to 1,348 people, including 362 children over five, equivalent to four survivors travelling to safety each day on average.

Almost two-thirds (62%) of people who used Rail to Refuge said they would not have travelled if the journey had not been paid for.

Rail to Refuge was first introduced bySoutheastern in September 2019, after one of its station managers, Darren O'Brien, watched the Dispatchesdocumentary Safe at Last aboutReigateand Banstead Women's Aid. GWR joined the scheme in March 2020 to offer free travel on its routes as part of its celebration of International Women's Day.

All train operators in Great Britain took up the initiative on 9th April 2020, initially for the length of the first lockdown, before extending it until the end of March 2021.

They have now decided to continue Rail to Refuge, as reports show that abuse has worsened during coronavirus restrictions.

Farah Nazeer, chief executive at Women's Aid, said: "Many women and children have to travel long distances to escape their abuser. There remains a serious shortage of refuge spaces, so it is vital that women are not prevented access to safety in a refuge by the cost of travel.

"In addition, many survivors have experienced years of economic abuse and will not have access to a bank, credit card or even cash. Women tell us that they cannot afford to leave because the perpetrator has controlled their money and they have none of their own.

"We are delighted that train companies have worked with us to remove a significant barrier to people escaping abuse. The Rail to Refuge scheme will continue to be lifesaving for hundreds of women and children, and it is incredibly welcome news that it has been extended."

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact Women's Aid here.

To access the scheme, or for other support, you can also use the Women's Aid Live Chat service, which is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10am to noon.

Click here to visit the Respect website, which provides advice and help for men, or call them on 0808 801 0327.