Refuge reacts to £257 million fund to support survivors of domestic abuse

Commenting on the announcement that councils to be given £257 million to provide support for survivors of domestic abuse and their children who are staying in safe accommodation Ruth Davison, CEO of Refuge, said:

“Refuge welcomes the much needed funding announcement today from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to fund emergency accommodation for survivors of domestic abuse. However it is estimated that £181m per year is needed to ensure this life-saving means of support can be accessed by everyone who needs it, so the figures announced today fall woefully short of what’s needed. It is vital that funding matches need.

“Long-term ringfenced funding is crucial to ensure that vital frontline services are able to plan and deliver on the needs of their community. The legal duty to provide refuge spaces, as introduced by the Domestic Abuse Act last year, must be matched by adequate funding. Without this, specialist providers will not have the resources to respond to the needs of all women and their children, leaving many at risk.”