TODAY The Sun calls on the Government to end a domestic violence scandal
that shames the UK — by reversing the closure of refuges for women at risk.
Two women are killed by partners each week.
But since 2010, 32 refuges for domestic violence victims have been shut by
cost-cutting. It is vital they are replaced and future funding for all
refuges guaranteed.
Sign our petition below to show your support for the campaign:
KIRSTY Wright was 13 weeks pregnant with her second child when
boyfriend Akeel Hussain stabbed her to death, knifing her 60 times.
The
other women featured here — mums, sisters, daughters and granddaughters from
all walks of life — suffered a similar fate in the past year at the
hands of violent partners or ex-partners.
These tragic victims left behind more than 50 motherless children and at least
two unborn babies.
It is a shockingly common story. Each week two women die in domestic violence
attacks in England and Wales.
48
women who tragically lost their lives
And it is estimated more than a million women suffered domestic violence last
year. Yet despite this council cuts have led to the closure of 32 refuges
for domestic violence victims since 2010.
Today The Sun calls upon the Government to urgently reinstate these vital
shelters and pledge national funding for all refuges to ensure no more
closures.
Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid said: “We hugely welcome this
campaign. Almost every day we hear of women killed by partners or
ex-partners.
“Any woman can be affected, regardless of race, class, disability, wealth,
religion, or level of education. It affects young and old.
Julie
Walters backs our Campaign
“In most situations, a woman will be killed as she tries to leave an abusive
partner, which is the reason many are scared to leave.
“This is why it is essential we have specialist services, so women have
somewhere safe to go.
“And it’s why we’re urging the Government to put in place a long-term funding
solution for specialist services which meet women’s needs when they escape
domestic violence.”
Women’s Aid estimates it costs £9,500 for a woman to stay in a refuge for six
months.
Before 2010, there was £100 million per year in refuge funding from the state
to preserve a national network of shelters.
Since then local council cost cutting and changes the housing benefit rules
means around one in six of specialist domestic violence refuges have had to
close.
In 2010 there were 187 specialist domestic violence refuges. Last year there
were just 155.
Local authorities have repeatedly cut funding to properly-staffed refuges in
favour of cheaper options like emergency bed and breakfast and housing
association accommodation.
On just one day last year, 112 women with 84 children were turned away from
refuges that could not house them.
The crisis is such that the Government recently stumped up £10million to keep
existing refuges afloat. But frontline workers say that is woefully
insufficient to keep them going long-term.
Kirsty, 21, died the day after she was attacked by Hussain with a kitchen
knife at her home in Redditch, Worcs,.
He was jailed for at least 19 years after admitting murder.
Studies suggest 30 per cent of women have experienced some form of domestic
violence, about 4.9 million female victims.
Police get an emergency domestic violence call every 30 seconds and one study
said it costs society nearly £16 billion a year in medical care, lost
working hours and other areas.
And although violent crime has fallen rates of domestic violence have remained
stable since 2009.
The Department for Communities said: “The Government is determined to ensure
anyone facing the threat of domestic violence has somewhere to turn and
recently invested £10million to maintain a national network of refuges.”
The facts and figures
On average two women a week are killed by a partner or ex-partner in England
and Wales
In 2012/13 there were 7.1 per cent of women who reported having experienced
any type of domestic violence in the last year – equivalent to an estimated
1.2 million female victims of domestic violence.
Overall, 30 per cent of women had experienced any form of domestic violence
since the age of 16 – equivalent to an estimated 4.9 million female victims
of domestic violence.
On average the police receive an emergency call relating to domestic violence
every 30 seconds
Domestic violence costs society nearly £16 billion per year, with a cost for
physical healthcare (i.e. not including mental health) to the NHS of
1.7billion per annum.
According to the Women’s Aid annual survey of around 200 domestic violence
services in 2013, approximately 10,000 women and 10,000 children sought
support from Refuges in England alone.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales continues to show steady declines in
violent crime over the last 20 years. Between the 1995 and the 2013/14
surveys, the number of violent crime incidents has fallen from 3.8 million
in 1995 to 1.3 million in 2013/14.However, rates of domestic violence have
remained stable since 2008/9.
The estimated total cost of domestic violence to society in monetary terms is
£16 billion per annum based on the following:
— The cost to the criminal justice system is £1.2 billion per
annum.
— The cost of physical healthcare treatment resulting from
domestic violence, (including hospital, GP, ambulance, prescriptions) is
£1.7 billion per annum.
— The cost to the social services is £0.28 billion.
— Housing costs are estimated at £0.19 billion.
— The cost of civil legal services due to domestic violence is
£0.38 billion.
— The cost of domestic homicide is estimated by the Home Office
at over one million pounds: a total of £1,097,330 for each death.
— Of 526 homicides in 2013/14 , 46% of female victims were killed
by a partner or ex-partner, compared to 7% male victims. All but one of the
female partner/ex-partner homicide victims were killed by a male suspect.
What we are asking for
1) A national guarantee of funding for refuges
2) No more refuge closures
3) Number of refuges to return to pre-2010 levels. In 2010 there were
187 specialist domestic violence refuges. In 2014, there were 155 specialist
domestic violence refuges. We need 32 new ones open ASAP
If you are a victim of domestic violence call freephone 0808 2000 247 for
the 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline (run in partnership between
Women’s Aid and Refuge).
Or log onto .
Women’s Aid also runs a website for children and young people experiencing
domestic violence