Council closing women’s refuge

This is sad news. Many people don't realise what a huge problem violence against women is. I have stayed in one of these refuges myself and it was always full. As soon as one woman found somewhere to live, another would take her place. A large number of men see nothing wrong in hitting a woman. This is something which ought to be addressed, it's been going on for too long.

nightowl

Women fleeing domestic abuse need not only emotional support, but a place of physical safety. Do the powers that be not understand that women (and their children) are most at risk in the period immediately after leaving their abusive partner? Even if it were practical, placing them alone away from family, friends and other supportive networks sounds like a very risky strategy to me.

Absolutely.

Women fleeing domestic abuse need not only emotional support, but a place of physical safety. Do the powers that be not understand that women (and their children) are most at risk in the period immediately after leaving their abusive partner? Even if it were practical, placing them alone away from family, friends and other supportive networks sounds like a very risky strategy to me.

Ailsa43

I think if the women are unemployed, and on benefits they will get their rents paid....

but there is so little housing available at the rent that benefits might cover.
seems v short-sighted move.
apart from practical needs, people under pressure need emotional/social support, warmth and acceptance from fellow travellers and expert advisors.

But where will women escape to in times of crisis?

I think if the women are unemployed, and on benefits they will get their rents paid....

Our council is a coalition of Liberals, independents, Conservatives, Labour and Greens with no party having a majority. Unfortunately the previous council administration left a huge hole in the finances and almost resulted in a section 114 notice. Therefore there are cutbacks across the board. I had presumed that adult and child protection would be safe, but sadly not.

Northern City, Lib/lab/Green mix, still funds the refuge which is registered charity and a new scheme for "move onto housing" in the pipeline (mixed funding) but clearly a lot of women working for free to support/raise money etc. No evidence for closing threats.

I agree Sodapop. Before I retired I visited the refuge to see clients and the residents spoke highly of the place. They felt supported by other residents who’d had similar experiences. It was a one-stop shop for services, from legal to housing.

I was at the sharp end of the move towards community care for people experiencing severe mental illness and the loneliness and isolation people felt was tragic. I foresee similar problems in this short-sighted cutting of services for women.

One of the councils that I am aware of have a significant homelessness problem, they were saying men are more likely to be street sleepers, but it is actually woman who are the more likely to be homeless (B and B's, sofa surfing etc). The main cause is domestic violence. I am unsure if that is the situation nationally as well.

Sounds much like the mental health crisis when places were closed and ' community care' became flavour of the month. Look how that turned out.
I feel so sorry for these women and children with their last hope removed.