Peterborough Women's Aid fears funding shortfall will lead to more victim abuse
The domestic abuse commissioner's calling for more help
A domestic abuse charity in Peterborough has said she has "no idea" where it will find funding to keep helping victims.
The domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs, has written to the Government, warning vital support services across the country face a funding crisis - and are on the edge of closure.
Peterborough Women's Aid has a number of short-term government grants, but they end in March next year.
"If we don't get any funding, our organisation will half"
Mandy Geraghty's the CEO at Peterborough Women's Aid:
"If we don't get any funding in by 31st March, 2025, our organisation will half.
"Last year, we supported more than 700 victims of domestic abuse; we won't be able to do that unless our funding is longer-term and we are sustainable."
What has the commissioner said?
Ms Jacobs has called for a legal duty to be included in the Victims and Prisoners Bill to fund services for domestic abuse survivors to protect them "for generations to come".
The commissioner said eight councils had issued a Section 114 notice - effectively declaring them bankrupt - since 2018, and that four in 10 councils are at risk of going bust in the next five years.
Ms Jacobs said domestic abuse services have been "hanging by a thread" and warned of higher risk for victims if they close.
"We are standing on the edge of a precipice; if urgent action is not taken, lifesaving services will disappear, risking the safety of thousands of victims and survivors," she said.
"I fear for the adult and child victims and survivors who will be placed at greater risk of serious harm and homicide as a result.
"We have an opportunity now to change that and protect services for generations to come.
That's why I'm calling for a legal duty in the Victims and Prisoners Bill to fund domestic abuse services so that victims and survivors don't pay the price when councils face financial pressures."
"If that support isn't funded, that is going to lead to more abuse"
Mandy said more people will face abuse if support isn't at hand.
"It is really concerning we're not hearing about funding that's coming in to domestic abuse services long-term," Mandy said.
"Unfortunately if that support isn't funded, services like ours won't be open and that is going to lead to more victims of abuse and probably more women or victims in general being killed."
What has the government said?
The Local Government Association (LGA) said "ongoing funding pressures and competing demands are making it increasingly difficult for councils to ensure that victims have access to all the help they need".
Heather Kidd, chair of the LGA's safer, stronger communities board, said: "Only with long-term, reliable funding, can councils help safeguard individuals and families from the physical and psychological harm caused by domestic abuse."
A Government spokesperson said it is providing victims and survivors of domestic abuse with support.
"Our Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan is investing over £230 million to drive down the prevalence of domestic abuse, and since 2021 we have committed £507 million to help councils provide support within safe accommodation to victims and their children," said the spokesperson.
"We recognise councils are facing challenges and that is why we announced an additional £600 million support package for councils across England, increasing their overall funding for the upcoming financial year to £64.7 billion - a 7.5% increase in cash terms."