Over 5000 sign petition to save Sunderland domestic violence support
Over 5000 have signed a petition with hopes to protect support for victims of domestic violence in Sunderland.
It’s after we broke the news last month that Wearside Women In Need was at threat of closure, with council plans to withdraw £586,000 in funding this year.
Since then it’s snowballed with people taking to social media to share their stories about the service, who’ve helped tens of thousands of women since opening in 1981, urging others to back the petition.
Wearside Women In Need Director, Claire Phillipson, says it’s been overwhelming:
“It isn’t just people signing the petition, it’s the lovely lovely comments that they’re making that are so genuine. It’s all the phone calls, it’s all the inboxes and messages. We’ve just been inundated with support which is so moving.
“There’s over 600 women at high risk of murder. The thought of withdrawing service is absolutely terrifying. We know… and it’s really not being overdramatic… that it will lead to murders, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
“We hope very very much that they will listen to the public. That they will listen to the people that elected them and they will overturn this proposal.”
Councillor Graeme Miller, Portfolio Holder for Health, Housing and Adult Services, Sunderland City Council, said:
“Because of the unprecedented cuts and budget pressures the council has been facing since 2010, many services have to be reviewed, refreshed and re-organised.
“No final decisions have been made on the council’s budget for next year and the council is continuing to consult with many individuals and organisations.
“For several years, this has included dialogue on a more collaborative and comprehensive approach working with Wearside Women In Need (WWIN) and others to support victims of domestic violence.
“Sunderland and WWIN are now part of a multi-authority bid with other North East authorities and partners to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Domestic Abuse Fund.
“This bid for £660,000 of funding would cover the Northumbria Police Area and is focused on updating and moving away from postcode based services to a wider focus on needs.”
Follow this link to view the petition: