Refuge responds to Government’s announcement of funding for support services for survivors of domestic abuse

In response to the Government’s announcement  of funding for support services for survivors of domestic abuse, Sandra Horley CBE, chief executive of national domestic abuse charity Refuge said:

The announcement by the Government of extra funds to support domestic abuse services is a crucial and welcome temporary measure – but will only go some way towards solving the ongoing funding crisis refuge services are experiencing.

Refuges form part of an essential national network of support, yet years of local authority funding cuts have had an impact on their sustainability. Services have been cut to the bone and urgently need a long-term funding solution to prevent them from being forced to close.

Refuge has worked closely with the Government on sustainable funding for services and eagerly awaits the new statutory duty to fund refuges, with sufficient funding to ensure they every woman  has somewhere safe to go if they need it. No woman or child fleeing domestic abuse should ever be turned away from safety.

The upcoming Domestic Abuse Bill offers the Government a real opportunity to cement its support for addressing domestic abuse.  We hope this opportunity will be embraced, and that the Government will ensure the Bill is strengthened, so it can be truly transformative, and has a smooth passage into law. Women’s lives depend on it.

For more information, please email press@refuge.org.uk or call 0207 395 7731.