Women and children are being turned away from refuges

Services to help female victims of domestic violence are at “breaking point” because of “shocking gaps” in funding, Women’s Aid UK has warned.

The charity said that, on one day in 2013, 155 women and 103 children were turned away from refuges in England.

The government could reduce the number of women and children hurt and killed by ensuring adequate funding, it added.

Women’s Aid, which has published the results of its annual survey, supports more than 350 domestic and sexual violence services across England.

Its survey found that:

• Across 150 organisations that responded, 112 specialist posts were lost in 2013 with the majority due to cuts in funding.

• Some 9,577 women and 10,117 children were given refuge accommodation last year by responding organisations.

• On the survey’s “snapshot” day – 27 June 2013 – 155 women and 103 children were turned away from the first refuge they approached.

“Over 1.2 million women were estimated to have experienced domestic violence last year and two women a week are killed by perpetrators.”

On a daily basis, women subjected to domestic violence are being denied specialist support and justice as services are being hollowed out.

Too many women and children are being denied the help and support they need to keep them safe.

Domestic violence reports to the police are going up, yet there has been an 11% drop in prosecutions since the police cuts started and specialist domestic violence units have been hit.