Cases of domestic violence against women surge amid concerns for safety

By Toby Porter

The number of families needing help after outbreaks of domestic violence has surged by 10 per cent in the last year, a baby charity has revealed.

Balham organisation Little Village  has released new figures showing that the number of women it supports due to domestic violence has increased in the last year.

Social workers and midwives have referred more than 600 people to them because of attacks in the home. This is a rise of over 10 per cent since the previous year.

The charity has seen demand for its service soar during the pandemic, with double the number of families seeking help last year, as compared to 2019.

Little Village is like a foodbank but for clothes, toys and equipment for babies and children up to the age of 5.

It has supported more than 11,000 children since being set up in 2016.

Chief executive Sophie Livingstone MBE, said: “The tragic death of Sarah Everard, in an area many of our staff, volunteers and families come from, has deeply affected all of us.

“Too many women don’t feel safe on our streets, and the figures we have released today highlight the impact of abuse that women are subjected to within homes across the capital too.

“We support several mothers each week who have suffered abuse at the hands of their partners or family members. Quite often women escape in just the clothes they are wearing and need to start from scratch with clothes, nappies, toys and buggies for their children.

“With violence against women in the spotlight and the question of making misogyny a hate crime being debated in the Police and Crime Bill in parliament this week, we want to make people aware of the consequences of the abuse that too many women face each day in their own homes.”

Lisa* was first referred to Little Village for help having fled from a violent relationship with her ex-husband. She said this week:

“It was an arranged marriage and the violence started straight away.

“He was physically and sexually abusing me and then he would go to work and lock me inside the house, I couldn’t leave. This went on for over five years.

“I felt that I would either die, or that my child and I would end up very, very damaged. I called a women’s refuge for help and they called the police who got me out.

“We stayed at the refuge and they helped me to get back on my feet and referred me to charities, including Little Village, for help.

“I remember crying at the time because my child didn’t have any toys so I was really glad that Little Village was able to provide these things for me when I had nothing.”

Little Village will be encouraging its volunteers, staff members and referral partners to take part in the Government’s re-opened consultation on Violence Against Women and Girls.

Little Village has a virtual shop on its website where people can pay for essentials like toiletries and period products for the women it supports, as well as a fundraising page which is raising money to enable it to support growing numbers of families.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/2021VirtualVillage?success=true