Queen Camilla has become a powerful voice for the anti-domestic abuse cause. She pulls on her own memories—as a teen herself who was also assaulted. Over the years, she has utilized her platform to raise awareness and promote solutions for this pervasive issue, which she has described as a “global pandemic.” Her activism has led her to host several key events, announce major initiatives, and tour crisis centers internationally.
In a rare and personal moment, Camilla opened up about being raped at an early age. She recounted the incident, stating, “I did what my mother taught me to. I took off my shoe and whacked him in the nuts with the heel.” Since this encounter, her knowledge of the complexity of violence survivors’ struggles has expanded greatly. It has fueled her fire for advocacy.
For almost 10 years, Camilla has worked tirelessly to raise awareness on the issue of domestic violence. In 2013, she held an important reception at Clarence House to challenge taboos around talking about rape and sexual abuse. This public engagement was a turning point for her. Most importantly, it afforded her the opportunity to meet leaders from various organizations – those engaged and committed to the fight against violence toward women.
Camilla’s commitment to combating domestic violence was on full display again in November 2022, when she gave a stunning speech at Buckingham Palace. In that address, she underscored the need to urgently address violence against women, calling it a “global pandemic.” Her persistent call to elevate this important issue has struck a chord, inspiring many to amplify the message and deepening conversation and action among diverse communities.
The Queen’s commitment is further evidenced in her upcoming documentary titled Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors, where she explores the realities of domestic violence and its impact on individuals and families. This project is intended to give us a deeper understanding of the challenges that survivors experience while inspiring action to raise awareness and support them.
Camilla is passionate about the work of The Mirabel Centre in Lagos, Nigeria and enthusiastically champions their work. That center is the UK’s first sexual assault referral center, and her advocacy has now extended beyond the UK. She went on to travel the country raising awareness about domestic abuse. Her path, at first, guided her eastward toward schools and centers from India to the Balkans to the USA. Her international efforts bring attention to the need for support systems and intervention methods that could protect victims across the globe.
In 2022, Camilla founded The Wash Bags project. This new program ensures survivors of sexual assault have immediate access to important toiletries after they receive life-saving forensic examinations. This program is an important part of her mission. She is passionate about helping survivors get the services they need to heal and thrive after violence.
During her time on the throne, the Queen has supported domestic violence charity SafeLives’ goal to end domestic abuse. She came on board with the environmental organization in 2020. In 2025, she hosted a reception at Clarence House to mark SafeLives’ 21st birthday with us. Her deep dedication to this organization indeed proves her focus on inspiring a fundamental shift in how the world views and responds to domestic violence.
Camilla’s insights into domestic abuse extend to her reflections on coercive control, which she described as “almost the most frightening bit of domestic abuse.” She made it clear that perpetrators will make their manipulation seem like love. This doublespeak scrambles the signal so it’s hard for people to understand what’s really coming until it’s much too late.
She has consistently encouraged public discourse around these issues, stating, “If we could just get more people discussing it…” Her faith in the power of conversation speaks to her approach to building awareness and understanding within fellow Americans.
As recently as February 2025, Camilla heralded the work being done by the Asian Women’s Resource Centre. This quick action demonstrated her commitment to highlighting organizations on the front lines advocating for victims of domestic violence. Her speeches at various UN events have aimed to raise the conversation about violence against women and girls on an international stage.
