Domestic Abuse Campaigners Demand More Funding to Protect Women
Campaigners, celebrities, and survivors gathered outside Parliament today with a powerful message for the government: more funding is urgently needed to protect women from domestic abuse. Organized by the charity Refuge, the demonstration featured a striking visual centerpiece—a bright pink, coffin-shaped front door marked with the number '75', representing the women killed in their homes last year.
The £55.5 Million Funding Gap
Attendees held placards designed like estate agent signs, highlighting that just £55.5 million would close the funding gap for safe accommodation providers. This shortfall affects frontline emergency services, including refuge shelters where women can escape abusive situations.
Refuge CEO Gemma Sherrington emphasized the critical need, stating: 'Having safe spaces to flee to is really important, but there is a shortfall in funding for those frontline emergency services like emergency refuge accommodation.'
Government Strategy and Criticism
In early February, the government unveiled a landmark strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, aiming to halve incidents by 2034. Backed by £1 billion in funding, split between victim services and safe housing, the plan was praised by Sherrington as 'unprecedented' and 'massive progress for women.'
However, she noted a significant omission: 'The big bit that is missing is that funding in frontline support services.'
Celebrity Support and Personal Stories
The demonstration saw support from high-profile figures, including Love Island star Zara McDermott, TV personality Georgia Harrison, and actor David Morrissey. McDermott challenged common perceptions, saying: 'As women, we’re often taught that the most dangerous place for a woman is on the street—but actually, for a lot of women, it’s inside their home.'
Melony Slack, whose sister-in-law Rachael Slack was murdered along with her 23-month-old son by an ex-partner 16 years ago, shared her heartbreaking story. She explained: 'Rachael didn’t know how to get to a refuge, she wasn’t aware that she was at risk of being killed. We’ve gone through such a lot of trauma and pain since losing them that we really want to make sure that we can minimise, or eradicate, that chance for others.'
Rachael's memory is honored each October 13 with 'Red Lippy Day', where friends and family wear her signature bright red lipstick to celebrate her vibrant personality.
Refuge's Campaign and Call to Action
Refuge's International Women's Day campaign, 'Home is Where the Hurt Is', underscores a devastating reality: for many women, their own home is the most dangerous place. The charity is urging the government to close the £55.5 million refuge funding gap through an open letter to the Prime Minister.
Refuge Chair Hetti Bankworth-Nanton welcomed the new strategy but stressed its insufficiency: 'If you increase the amount of pathways for victims to reach out for help and get help, it doesn’t work and in fact it creates false and dangerous hope if, when they then reach out for help, the service isn’t there at the end to be able to give them the support that they need.'
She added: 'There is a huge gap in frontline services today. That means that when those women take those pathways, they may well end up with a brick wall, and that’s what needs to be fixed.'
Government Response and Ongoing Efforts
A government spokesperson responded: 'We’re treating violence against women and girls as a national emergency, with a clear commitment to halve it in the next decade. That’s why we’ve announced almost £500 million to help councils provide support in safe accommodation for survivors, including refuges and Sanctuary Schemes, so they can get the safety and stability they deserve.'
Refuge's National Domestic Abuse Helpline offers free, confidential support 24/7 at 0808 2000 247. The charity continues to advocate for increased funding to ensure no woman faces a brick wall when seeking safety.
