Women’s Aid responds to new ONS research on the lived experiences of survivors in temporary safe accommodation in England

Lucy Hadley, head of policy at Women’s Aid, comments:

“This powerful research demonstrates why, under their duties in the Domestic Abuse Act, local authorities must sustainably fund specialist women’s refuges and refuges led ‘by and for’ Black and minoritised women, which have a proven track record in meeting survivors’ needs. In other forms of temporary or ‘safe’ accommodation, women interviewed for this research were unable to access even basic rights such as food, water, clothing, bedding or space to sleep. It is unacceptable that women escaping domestic abuse are placed in accommodation which fails to keep them and their children safe.

“We are calling for sustainable investment in high-quality specialist refuge services that can support women and their children in recovering and moving on to a life free from abuse.”