No Women Excluded
We know there has been a shocking rise in the instances of domestic violence across the UK, both during and after the pandemic, which is forcing more people into homelessness, as that is often the only escape from an abusive relationship.
In February 2022, we opened our Women’s Sanctuary, providing specific services for women who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless. The Sanctuary empowers women and helps them change their lives. Since opening, we have supported nearly 40 women, with 12 needing long term interventions and support.
However, we are becoming increasingly concerned in the rise in calls we are receiving from our local community, especially from women in the hardest to reach communities, who are struggling to receive life changing, and potentially, life saving support.
Yet, whilst we applauded the Government’s recent amendments to The Domestic Violence Act to help this national problem, we were also disappointed as the Act is still not fully supporting women who have no recourse to public funds, are on visas or seeking asylum. They will still face multiple and incredibly complex challenges to securing the appropriate support, such as benefits and priority housing.
“…the police recorded 259,324 offences flagged as domestic abuse-related in the period March to June 2020, an increase of 7% form 2019 and 8% from 2018.”ONS report November 2020 stating police recorded crime data
“… the police recorded a total of 1,459,663 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes in England and Wales in the year ending March 2021.”ONS Report November 2021
Our concerns on this increase are furthered by recent reports we have seen from leading authorities including the recent Domestic Abuse Commission “Safety Before Status” report.
Now, as we find ourselves facing an ever growing demand for support from women across London, we need your help to meet this need of people like Sarah, who first came to us late in 2021:
Sarah had been trapped in several abusive relationships, ending in her becoming homeless and was once gang raped whilst sleeping rough on the streets of London. But now she is being helped through the Sanctuary where our dedicated team of Advisors supported Sarah on her journey towards a brighter future for her and her son, and away from violence. More can be read on her story here.
We believe it is of paramount importance that, to avoid people being forced into homelessness, everyone no matter of their status, should receive priority housing so they are able to escape a violent relationship, and with the support of services such as those provided by 999 Club, begin to rebuild their lives.
Therefore, through our Campaign, we are urging Government to ensure that all victims of domestic abuse, no matter of their status, are given priority housing to prevent them from becoming homeless.
Supported by Vicky Foxcroft, MP for Lewisham, you can watch our campaign film here and we have also launched a petition calling for immediate action from the Government relating to priority housing.
Please support our campaign by signing our petition by clicking below and then circulate it to your friends and family.
The more names we can gather, the greater impact we can make and the more people we can help; people like Sarah.
If anything we have said in this campaign has affected you, then please contact our Support Services on 0208 694 5797 or via email - office@999club.org.
“Of the total 67,820 households identified as homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, more than 12.1% (8,206 households) had experienced or were at risk of domestic abuse.”Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities report, January 2022