Domestic abuse charity being stretched to "breaking point"
Women's Aid Federation is calling for more funding
Last updated 1st Dec 2022
A leading domestic abuse charity is warning its resources are being stretched to "breaking point" because of a lack of funding.
Women’s Aid Federation is launching a new campaign to 'Unlock” the Funding’ from the UK Government.
It comes as new statistics reveal the PSNI receives a call relating to a domestic abuse incident every 16 minutes.
Between 2017 and last year, 34 women and girls were killed by men across Northern Ireland.
Women’s Aid states the ‘chronic underfunding’ in Northern Ireland predates the collapse of Stormont however, the situation is being exacerbated by the lack of a functioning Executive.
Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland Chief Executive, Sarah Mason said Northern Ireland was already significantly behind England and Wales when it came to funding, but the cost of living crisis is making this disparity even more stark.
Sarah said, “Our campaign uses incredibly emotive language and poignant imagery and if this is uncomfortable for some people then we apologise.”
“But the reality is that women are being murdered in Northern Ireland as we wait for the government to provide the necessary level of funding to tackle this epidemic affecting our society. Women’s Aid does not apologise for being a strong voice for women and we will continue to fight for the necessary resources.”
“The cost of living crisis is having a profound impact on women living with abusive partners. We saw during the pandemic how lockdown was often trapping women with their abusers now as the strain on household expenses continues to spiral, many female victims of violence simply don’t have the financial means to escape the abuse.”
“It is a real pressure cooker situation and a damning indictment on our society that so many women are paying the ultimate price.”
The Women’s Aid ‘Unlock the Funding’ campaign, which is coinciding with the annual international 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence (Nov 25 – Dec 10), combines a range of mediums including digital roadside advertising screens and a dedicated social media campaign.
The government has been contacted for a response.