Skip to content
Becky's Button

BECKY'S STORY

Why the charity exists, in Becky's mother's words

Rebecca Dykes with her mother, Jane Houng

Rebecca 'Becky' Dykes was my daughter. She was warm, adventurous, curious about the world, and deeply committed to helping others. Working at the British Embassy in Beirut, she built friendships wherever she went and had a gift for making people feel seen and valued.

When Becky was killed in Beirut on 16 December 2017, our family was devastated. In the years that followed, I found myself returning to one question: how could we honour her life in a way that might help protect others?

Becky’s Button grew from that question. Founded in Becky’s memory, the charity is built on the belief that we must do more than respond to violence after it occurs. We must do everything we can to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Through education, practical tools and early intervention, we work alongside young people, schools, universities and communities to help create a future where fewer people experience violence, abuse and harm.

Becky’s life continues to inspire this work every day. Her loss is the reason we began, but prevention is our purpose.

Jane Houng

Founder and Chair of Trustees

Rebecca Dykes reading a report outdoors
Rebecca Dykes, whose humanitarian work Becky's Button carries forward.
  1. 16 December 2017

    Rebecca is killed in Beirut. Her family chooses to answer with action.

  2. In the years since

    Jane Houng and people who knew Rebecca's values build Becky's Button around prevention and early intervention, not just response.

  3. December 2024

    Jane Houng receives the Elizabeth Emblem at Windsor Castle, recognising Rebecca's humanitarian public service.

Recognition

The Elizabeth Emblem

In December 2024, Jane Houng received the Elizabeth Emblem at Windsor Castle, national recognition of Rebecca's humanitarian public service, and of the prevention work carried out in her memory.

See what that work looks like today
Jane Houng receiving the Elizabeth Emblem from King Charles III

Stay connected

Stay close to the work.

Programme updates, stories from the work and opportunities to support Becky's Button.