An estimated 27,900 women affected by domestic violence have had to be turned away by the first refuge service that they approached in the last year, because there was no space, according to new figures from Women’s Aid.
Despite this huge demand, almost one in five Women’s Aid member services has reported severe funding difficulties, leading to the closure of vital services for vulnerable women and children.
Nicki Norman, Deputy Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, said:
“A domestic homicide costs the government £1 million and despite other government initiatives, two women are still being killed every week by a current or former partner - it doesn't take much to realise that cutting domestic violence services is a false economy.
“The most dangerous time for a woman experiencing domestic violence is when she is trying to leave her abusive partner, so funding refuge services that keep women safe during this time are not just saving lives but saving the government money."
