A NATIONAL charity that provides support to women feeling domestic violence has called upon the government to make funding support services specifically for women a requirement - saying a 'gender neutral' response puts women led services 'under threat'

The petition launched on International Women's Day by Women's Aid aims to protect women only services after funding from many local authorities was severed.

Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said:“We are launching an emergency petition to the government, because we are seeing established women-led domestic abuse services lose local authority funding.

"This has to be stopped before it leads to more women and children dying. Our local Women’s Aid member services around the country are saving the lives of women and children every day, and many have been running for decades.

"The decision by some local authorities to commission ‘gender-neutral’ services disregards the evidence that women experience the most severe domestic abuse; are more likely to be killed by their abuser; and that women experiencing domestic abuse need access to women-only support.

"Women need to trust a service and feel safe to be able access support, especially if they are leaving their home to move into a refuge with their children. Many will be living with long-term trauma, and will need specialist support to rebuild their lives.

"The current government plan to separate domestic abuse from the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, will only serve to encourage more ‘gender neutral’ responses to domestic abuse.

"91% of domestic violence crimes that cause injuries are against women, and three women every fortnight are being killed by a current or former partner in the UK. Women-led domestic abuse services are under threat, and there will be severe consequences for women and children if we do not stop this now.”

Councillor John Smith, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health and Wellbeing said: “Improving availability of support for individuals and their children affected by domestic abuse continues to be a real, long term priority for us. We’ve made some great progress working with partners over the last few years to provide preventative as well as community services. I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication, particularly in relation to additional support and assistance during the Coronavirus pandemic.

"This last year may have been about protecting our homes and communities from Coronavirus, but it’s really important that our homes and communities remain a safe space for everyone, now and in the future. We have been continually monitoring the progress of the Domestic Abuse bill and we’re pleased to see it reaching the final report stage in the House of Lords this week. If people living in Worcestershire are experiencing domestic abuse or know someone else who is, please contact the help line for West Mercia Womens Aid on 0800 980 3331."