Campaigners say funding gap is risking women's lives
Refuge, a domestic abuse charity, is highlighting an annual £55.5 million funding gap.
Campaigners are calling for increased funding to support the government's strategy to address violence against women and girls (VAWG), claiming that a current shortfall jeopardizes the initiative.
Refuge, a domestic abuse charity, highlighted an annual £55.5 million funding gap, which they argue could hinder the government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls by 2034.
Despite a £1 billion pledge backing the VAWG strategy announced last December, concerns about funding persist, particularly regarding safety and refuge services for survivors.
The strategy includes plans for a £19 million funding increase for councils to offer safe housing for domestic abuse survivors, education on healthy relationships in secondary schools, and specialized investigators for rape and sexual offences within every police force.
Refuge, as part of its Home is Where the Hurt is campaign, organized a demonstration outside Parliament on Tuesday, calling attention to the issue.
They highlighted the figure of 75 women killed by domestic homicide in the year ending March 2025, symbolized by a large coffin-shaped front door during their protest.
Refuge chief executive Gemma Sherrington emphasized the need for government investment to ensure the safety of women, stating, “Home should be a safe place, but at Refuge we know it can be the most dangerous place for women experiencing domestic abuse."
Television presenter and Refuge ambassador Ranvir Singh backed the campaign, stressing, “Seventy-five women were killed in the last year, by a partner, ex or family member. These deaths are not inevitable and often happened in the home, behind closed doors."
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," noting the allocation of almost £500 million for support in safe accommodation, including refuges and Sanctuary Schemes.