We’re calling for long-term funding for specialist support services across Wales, so that women and children can access lifesaving support.
Last year in Wales, 388 survivors of domestic abuse could not be accommodated by refuges because there was no space available where and when they needed help. Together we can change this.
Campaign success
In the summer of 2016 we campaigned to save refuges across Wales from the threat of wide-scale closure due to a proposed cap on housing benefit. Refuges, rely on housing benefit to cover the costs of providing crucial accommodation and support to survivors of domestic abuse.
Our campaigning in the media, policy and subsequent State of the Sector report called for this exemption and highlighted that over two thirds of refuges in Wales would have been forced to close from April 2017 if the cap to housing benefit had been introduced.
We welcomed the announcement in September 2016 that domestic abuse refuges will be exempt from the Local Housing Allowance cap on housing benefit rates in supported accommodation, until 2019.
Together, we made a difference.
Want to get involved?
Join the conversation – tweet @Welshwomensaid telling us why you think refuges and other violence against women services are important using the hashtag #saverefugesavelives