The Haven sends out SOS

The Haven women’s refuge is sending out an SOS signal today, urging the local authority, funders and community groups to commit to supporting specialist delivery of expert services for women and children survivors of domestic violence. The service has joined a nationwide campaign run by Women’s Aid in response to a crisis in our network of women’s refuges caused by devastating budget cuts.

The Haven is raising awareness that nationally we already don’t have enough specialist services to meet the needs of women and children who are homeless and experiencing domestic violence.

New research released today by Women’s Aid for the launch of the SOS campaign reveals a severe shortfall in the number of refuge spaces available, as well as broad public support for a national response to close the gap:

• The West Midlands is one of the stronger regions in terms of providing bed spaces, with four-fifths of the refuge spaces required. The region currently has 452 bed spaces, but needs 567: a shortfall of 20% [1].
• Six in ten (61%) voters feel the Government should do more to preserve the national network of domestic violence refuges for women and children [2].
• Nearly six in ten (59%) voters feel the government should do more to ensure funding support for women and children who have experienced domestic violence [3].

Kath Rees, CEO at The Haven

“Two women a week are killed by a partner or ex-partner, and at The Haven we have worked for over 40 years to protect women in the region from perpetrators of domestic violence, to help women and children live full lives free from the fear of violence and try to prevent these murders. Male victims are also supported by The Haven through a partnership with St George’s Charity. However, cuts and gruelling commissioning practices across the country are leading to refuges and services closing and women and children being left at risk. We are sending an SOS today to our local council and supporters to urge them to protect services here so we can continue to play our part in the vital national network of domestic violence services. If you can help by fundraising for The Haven, please contact Laura on 01902 572134.”

Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid said:

“Perpetrators of domestic violence will do everything they can to control their victim, which is why specialist support services are essential to help women escape and build independent lives. A national network of support services, which allows women to get help locally or escape the area, is essential to protecting women and children. This is why we are sending out the SOS signal together, and we urge the local authority to make a commitment to ensuring that the West Midlands will play its part in protecting vulnerable women and children across the country.”

About the SOS campaign

Women’s Aid is sending out an SOS Signal - urging councils and the public to help us Save Refuges to Save Lives.

The charity is calling for:

• central Government to commit to a national funding solution for specialist domestic violence services.
• local commissioners to commit to delivering specialist and expert services for women survivors of domestic violence.
• the public to sign the SOS petition and to send their SOS signal through Twitter.