Why women’s domestic violence refuges are not local services

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

955 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In a context of Localism and public sector cuts in the United Kingdom, women’s domestic violence refuges are experiencing funding cuts and service restrictions. This article presents findings of a research project, quantifying, mapping and conceptualising the journeys women make to escape domestic violence; journeys which often include accessing a women’s refuge. Analysing administrative, survey and interview data it provides evidence of women travelling from everywhere to all types of places to access refuges, and that refuges are distinctively accessed across local authority boundaries. As a result, it is argued that women’s refuges should not be considered, planned and funded as local services; but as regional and national services, hosted locally.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)327-349
Number of pages23
JournalCritical social policy
Volume35
Issue number3
Early online date3 Jun 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2015

Keywords

  • Housing
  • Internal migration
  • Journeys
  • Localism
  • Violence against women

Cite this