Welfare reforms could make it harder for domestic violence victims to leave their homes
- 16 Jul
An expert has said that changes to housing and benefits are leaving many advice services for domestic violence victims stretched to their limits.
Service director for Newcastle Women’s Aid Elaine Langshawe has said that welfare reforms are making it harder for domestic violence victims to leave their partners, reports the Chronicle Live.
Ms Langshawe believes that changes to benefits and housing could be making it more difficult for victims to leave their partners.
“We have seen a rise in the number of people wanting support from our outreach services. There could be many reasons for that, but possibly because welfare reform has made it more worrying for people to leave their homes. I think some women are more frightened to leave now because they are worried about money or that they may not get another house because of the cuts in services. Cuts in benefits make it more difficult for women to walk out on their old lives. Our outreach services are at capacity all the time now so we have to be very proactive with our fund-raising. There will always be women that need the safety of the refuge, but I believe welfare reform is making the hard decision to leave even harder. Getting legal orders in place is the fastest way to protect someone and may mean the difference between a woman having to leave their home or being able to stay. But now with the cuts in legal aid not all women can get these safety orders.”
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
Related articles
- 08 Sep
People in Leeds call to tackle domestic violence
Leaders from private, public and third sectors gathered for the Voice of Leeds Summit and discussed what they could do to tackle domestic violence, reports the Yorkshire Evening Post.Over the past...
- 04 Sep
Plans to tackle domestic violence in Bury
Research by Bury Council’s domestic violence and abuse steering group has found that there was an average of ten incidents a day in the past year from April 2015, reports the Bury Times.Town hall...
- 28 Aug
Domestic violence levels in Northern Ireland at highest
Police have said that the number of reports of domestic violence are continuing to rise, and from April 2014 to April 2015 there was a 5.6% increase, report U TV. Ulster University is set to release...
- 15 Jul
Support for domestic violence survivors provided by local charities
A contract worth £1.2m a year has been obtained by Women’s Aid Integrated Services, Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid and Equation, reports Impact Nottingham. This contract uses funds from...
- 13 Jul
New fund to support victims of domestic violence
The fund will be open to proposals from local partnerships that show how the needs of victims are able to be met in innovative ways, reports 24dash. It has also been revealed that there will be a...
- 03 Jul
Domestic violence campaign launched in Sandwell
Run by charity Fry Housing Trust, Sandwell Council and Sandwell’s Domestic Abuse Strategic Partnership, the ‘Brighter Futures’ scheme will be running over the next two years, reports ITV...
- 24 Jun
Wolverhampton police see thousands of domestic violence reports
It has been reported that an average of sixteen incidents of domestic violence were recorded each day in Wolverhampton over the last year, reports the Express and Star.Of the 5,900 incidents reported...
- 15 Jun
UK’s approach to domestic violence called ‘incoherent’
A leaked copy of an official report by the UN special rapporteur on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo, has called for an urgent inquiry into Yarl’s Wood and a focus on repeated allegations...
- 10 Jun
Domestic violence to be highlighted in new film by students and police in Sunderland
The first year media students and third year drama students at the University of Sunderland have created four short films that cover financial, emotional, physical and sexual forms of domestic abuse,...
- 13 May
Winchester council steps up support for domestic violence victims
Cllr Ernie Jeffs, portfolio holder for communities and transport, approved recommendations to improve how the council responds to the issue, reports the Daily Echo. These recommendation include...
What are the Future Funding Arrangements for Supported and Sheltered Housing? "Another informative session provided by Support Solutions, excellent session" P.R. - Wrekin Housing Trust
