At Refuge , we know domestic abuse impacts one in four women. For many, abuse can push them into housing insecurity and even homelessness . With failing statutory systems and specialist refuge funding at a cliff-edge, women without financial means to find safe housing face the prospect of destitution.

A 2023 report by homelessness charity St Mungo’s found almost half of their female clients had experienced domestic abuse, yet this hidden crisis of homelessness has long been overlooked. Having worked in the violence against women and girls (VAWG) sector for decades, I can say that it’s now harder than ever for survivors of domestic abuse to find safe accommodation.

Over my years working on the National Domestic Abuse Helpline I spoke to countless survivors with nowhere else to tur

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