Nine out of ten domestic abuse services say demand has increased

Our research shows a picture of increasing demand which shows no sign of abating. While services have stepped up during the pandemic, innovating with phone and virtual services or even operating out of the boot of a car, the pressures of meeting the needs of increased numbers of victims is taking its toll. Recent Government investment in domestic abuse services is welcome. A long-term settlement which recognises the increased support services will need to provide for the whole family for many years to come is vital.

The pandemic saw an increase in need for our services in differing ways, our approach was to set up a 24/7 helpline for our local area, which evidenced 63% increase in our usual provision, over the year we have dealt with over 2,000 calls. As lockdown lifts we have seen an additional 46% referral increase in the first week.

Unfortunately alongside the increased need for our services we have not seen an increase in staff. The way funds are distributed from central government means that we are expected to turn around funding bids within a week, and very often we do not get a response to our application in the time frame promised.

By the time funds get to small specialist local male violence against women providers we have already been expected to find other resource avenues to continue to save women’s lives. If the government want to take the issue seriously they should provide sustainable long term funding, including for vital local community services that sit outside large commissioning contracts.