Sue Silva speaking in support of Motion 39 – Domestic Abuse: Access for All
“Every week two women are killed and many more are trapped in dangerous situations due to a lack of refuge spaces. This has a negative impact on their children’s mental health and this must change. Women should not have to choose between their safety and their jobs.”
“High accommodation costs and insufficient refuge spaces force many to stay in harmful environments. In the UK, recent statistics shows on domestic abuse, as for the year ending March 2023, the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 1.4 million women, aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse.”
“In Scotland for the year 2022-2023, 81% of domestic abuse incidents involved female victims. In Northern Ireland for the year ending March 2023, 69% of the domestic abuse.”
“The data also shows that the proportion of female victims in domestic abuse-related crimes is significantly higher than that of male victims. This is a very sensitive subject to many migrant workers. As they are in a foreign country they fear to go for help as they think it might affect their immigration status. Let’s work together to make sure every woman has a safe place to go.”