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SafeLives welcomes £20 million funding announcement for domestic abuse

8th March 2017

We warmly welcome the additional £20 million that has been announced today for services to support survivors of domestic abuse.  

Today, on International Women's Day, we are reminded of the bravery and tireless determination of survivors to end domestic abuse, and the need to demand change for the huge numbers of women and children experiencing abuse today. This money will help us all continue to protect families today and to reduce the number of  potential victims tomorrow. 

We know 4 out of 5 victims of domestic abuse do not call the police. This cannot be solved by the police or the criminal justice system alone; we must ensure we have the funding for dedicated domestic abuse professionals (Idvas) in a range of settings, including hospitals. They have the training and the expertise to support women in a way that will help them become safe in the long-term. 

Domestic abuse is not acceptable, or inevitable. It can be stopped. Women and children have a right to live a life free from fear. We look forward to working with the Government, survivors and services to ensure this additional support will be used to ensure people get the right response as early as possible, whoever they are, wherever they go.