Domestic abuse costs the government 66 billion per year. There needs to be a different approach.
There is chronic shortage of housing The latest figures show around six in 10 women fleeing domestic violence who sought a space in a refuge in England over a year were denied a place. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows 27,754 women were referred to a refuge between April 2022 and March 2023 but only 10,824 were accepted, with 16,930 women left with nowhere to go. This is the equivalent of one woman being turned away every two hours. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/domestic-abuse-women-refuge-shortages-b2455087.html
One female in our nation is killed every three days.
Ms. Reem Alsalem (Jordan) is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences, since August 2021. The UN declares to UK that violence against women a “national threat” UN Expert No time to lose as UK declares violence against women a “national threat”: UN expert | OHCHR UN expert | OHCHR One female is killed every three days by a male.
The situation of violence against women and girls has reached a crisis point and is simply untenable,” Alsalem said.
“I urge authorities to restore predictable and adequate funding to these frontline organisations, which provide crucial and life-saving services to women and girls desperate to escape abusive and/or exploitative relationships,” she said. The expert will present her full report to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025.
What can we do?
As a survivor of domestic abuse and homelessness, raising three children in severe financial distress, have firsthand experience of isolation and despair. It is important to act as an intervention and prevention service supporting individuals during their time of crisis, to reduce loneliness by developing their social connections and to feel that survivors are valued members of their communities, to share their skills and learn new ones, to try new creative and environmental outlets, to co-design and co-produce community engagements, to access wider local opportunities and support services, and to develop confidence and resilience.
There needs to be an addressing of individual and community challenges through training and volunteering opportunities, workshops and courses, staff wellbeing days, grassroots group and community venue support. A provision of trauma informed workshops and courses focussing on recovery-based and creative practices, all underpinned by mental health and wellbeing support and are centred around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. To be responsive and adapt provision to tackle health inequalities and best serve our communities: in communities; with communities.
The effects of domestic abuse
Women coerced into co-dependency toxic unhealthy relationships often have a history of trauma which shape their attachment styles, making them more vulnerable to manipulative partners and abusive relationships. “Trauma and insecure attachments within the family home, especially stemming from past abuse, can lead to a tolerance for distress in relationships, where discomfort, violence or volatility may feel “normal.”
“They may even feel they deserve this type of relationship as they had to become ‘comfortable’ to endure the pain and constant anxiety/trauma involved in the abusive cycle.”
Threats and intimidation, sometimes very subtle, making them hard to distinguish or even believe, maintains the control, making the victim feel that leaving is impossible or dangerous.
Due to significant levels of trauma survivors of domestic abuse lack confidence, often need rehousing, have anxiety or mental health challenges.
Our Vision
We are passionate about change. Our mission is to relieve homelessness, to promote healthy relationships, sensitively support recovery, deliver positive mental health and wellbeing to people in our community. We believe that appropriate support and information will lead to progress towards personal resilience and meaningful life outcomes for those who experience domestic abuse and for their families.
Our vision is for a society where vulnerable women with histories of domestic abuse, can heal and lead healthy and productive lives. We recognise that each woman has an intrinsic value as a unique individual, and we are committed to enabling her to realise this and reach her full potential.
We work towards breaking the cycle of toxic relationships amongst our women, many of whom have also experienced sexual, physical, financial and emotional trauma. This not only results in better health outcomes, but also positively impacts the wider community through a reduction in crime, antisocial behaviour and homelessness. We believe that in a homely and loving environment, and with the willingness of abstinence from domestic abuse, the trauma will reveal itself and then the healing can take place.
This is not impossible. It is not just the role of police, the council, social services to assist with this crisis. We all have a responsibility to work towards the change that is so desperately required.
By Jennifer Hebert, founder of The Lamp Stand Group