Calls for 'emergency domestic abuse fund' to help victims in Birmingham during cost-of-living crisis

A Birmingham domestic abuse charity has echoed calls for the government to create an 'emergency domestic abuse fund' after the Chancellor's Autumn Statement yesterday led to predictions that around 55% of UK households will be worse off because of the plans.

Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid told our reporter that it is receiving its highest ever number of calls, attributing it to the rising cost of living.

Anna Fawcett, from the charity, said abusers are taking advantage of the situation to stop victims leaving: "There will be women who are staying in an abusive relationship with their children, because they are so concerned about being able to cope financially on their own. We know anecdotally that that is happening."

More than 80 women's organisations have come together to create a statement to government about the kind of support they would like to see during the cost of living crisis, with one being an emergency domestic abuse fund.

"Women are telling us that their abusers are using the cost of living crisis an concerns about financial hardship as a tool for coercive control.

"That might be that their perpetrator is saying 'well, how are you going to cope if you leave?You won't be able to manage financially', and that is being used against women." Fawcett said.

Victims’ Commissioner for the West Midlands, Nicky Brennan, has also taken a survey of victims to Parliament.

Ruth Davison, CEO of another women's charity Refuge, which is also calling for an emergency fund, said in a statement after the budget announcement:

“We are pleased to hear that the Chancellor has decided to raise Universal Credit and other ‘legacy’ benefits in line with inflation.

"This comes after consistent pressure from Refuge and numerous other organisations across the charity sector to ensure this cost of living crisis does not cost the lives of the most vulnerable in our society.

“I would implore the Chancellor to implement the benefit uplift immediately, and not wait until next April to make this vital change.

"Survivors and their children are struggling now, and they need urgent action to weather the storm of price increases this winter.

"No one should be left choosing between ongoing abuse and violence or poverty and hunger.

"There will be women who are staying in an abusive relationship with their children, because they are so concerned about being able to cope financially on their own. We know anecdotally that that is happening."

“The reality is that nothing has changed for women and children experiencing domestic abuse today.

"77% of front line workers Refuge surveyed said many women could not afford to leave their abusers.

Refuge echoes calls across the VAWG sector for the government to establish an Emergency Domestic Abuse Fund, so no woman has to choose between financial stability and her physical safety.”

In March the government said it would be investing a minimum of £47.1 million over three years into support services.

It said "We will make the police, family courts, and criminal justice system easier for victims and survivors to navigate.

"We will make it easier for them to disclose abuse through continued funding of vital helplines, and to get the tailored support they need from specialist and ‘by and for’ support services.

"Our approach is all about enabling the whole system to operate with greater coordination and effectiveness.

This will include training for those professionals most likely to encounter domestic abuse to better identify it and refer victims and survivors to appropriate support, including up to £7.5 million investment into interventions in healthcare settings.

Reforms to domestic homicide reviews will improve our understanding and drive down the frequency of these terrible crimes."

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