On 1st April victims in Salford face the loss of their specialist domestic abuse services that has been an integral part of Salford for over 40 years and has provided an exceptional service to survivors of domestic abuse and their families. Salford Women’s Aid has 2 refuges for survivors and their families and over the last 16 years they have also provided an Independent Advocacy Service, supporting survivors and their families to live safely and be free from domestic violence and abuse. They also partner with Safety for Sisters Refuge which is one of only 2 Refuges supporting survivors of no recourse to public funds in the UK.

Salford City Council are now giving the funding which Salford Women’s Aid have campaigned for and recently awarded from the Domestic Abuse Bill to several other providers.

As a result, staff providing these services feel Domestic Abuse Services will be less accessible for the people of Salford and for survivors coming into Salford. This could ultimately lead to victims not being supported and lives being lost. Salford Women’s Aid staff are experienced and dedicated to a service supporting all survivors of domestic abuse and reducing barriers in accessing services and support. Salford Women’s Aid is an Independent Service and it would be at significant cost to survivors and the Salford residents to lose these essential services that have been successfully provided over many years.

We need your support to make the council reconsider this contract and keep Salford Women’s Aid in Salford and continue with domestic abuse services that are accessible for Salford residents. Lives have already been lost, let’s not lose any more.