Despite this there are more animal shelters in Britain than refuges for women and children. Every week women are dying as a result of the chronic underfunding of domestic abuse services. Already before Covid-19, in the year 2018-2019, 512 women were turned away from refuges in Wales due to lack of space, capacity or resources (Welsh Women's Aid).
The pandemic has only made the situation worse. Lockdown, furlough and widespread working from home has meant women having to spend more time at home alone with their abusers, and homeschooling has meant children having to spend more time at home in families where abuse is present. At least 90% of VAWDASV (Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence) services in Wales have reported increased costs related to Covid -19. At the same time the number of survivors on waiting lists for support in the community has gone up by 143% (Welsh Women's Aid).
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) believes this is completely unacceptable. We demand:
* Long-term sustainable public funding for all VAWDASV services in Wales to meet the needs of survivors of domestic abuse and to stop women being murdered.
* Democratic control of VAWDASV services.
* Refuge spaces for all who need them.
* A council house building building programme to make sure everyone has a safe home of their own, including women who need to move for their safety and to move on from refuge accommodation.
Mia Hollsing
TUSC candidate for South Wales Central
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