Warning: The following article contains details of real life accounts of abuse suffered by women victims of domestic abuse in the West Midlands
“I have no idea what is really going on inside this prison…no one comes, no one helps. I don’t even know if anyone knows I’m alive here.”
Those are the words of one woman who is being abused by her partner as the cost of living crisis deepens.
She is just one of many women in her position who have completed a survey launched by West Midlands Victims’ Commissioner Nicky Brennan to gauge how dire the situation is across the region.
Two surveys have been launched – one for women who are victims of domestic abuse, the other for providers who offer support to victims.
It will help us monitor how hard rising bills are impacting both victims and support services.
West Midlands Victims’ Commissioner Nicky Brennan said: “We have already heard from many women who are in a desperate situation and the cost of living crisis is making everything worse.
“More and more women are not able to raise the funds to escape their abusers and I want to use the findings of these surveys to lobby government for more support, be it direct, through support services or through more refuge space.”
Other feedback from victims include: “All I want is for me and my children to be safe and not feel like I am begging for support.”
Another added: “I cannot leave my abuser I am stuck. No money, no place to go. Sometimes I think he will kill me.”
One provider said: “We have found more women to be left in debt, especially utility bills. They are in constant use of food banks and cannot afford to travel. There is a real increase in having to source basic but essential items like a kettle, bedding, tv, phone etc.”
We are now urging more victims and support services to take part in the survey before it closes on August 25th. It is totally anonymous and will help us campaign for more support.
Victims can take part here: https://wmpcc.formationmedia.dev/for-victims-cost-of-living-on-victims-of-domestic-abuse-survey/
Providers can take part here: Provider survey – The impact of the increasing cost of living on victims of domestic abuse – West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner (westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk)
Help and support:
Below are some of the support services to support victims, and potential perpetrators of VAWG. You can also access a full catalogue of free services here.
How to report crime
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact West Midlands Police on 999.
For non-emergencies you can contact the police on 101 or via Live Chat
For non-emergency incidents on public transport you can call 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016.
If you need the police but are unable to talk due to your situation you can dial 55 – find out more about silent calls.
- Raise an anonymous concern with Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
Localised support for the West Midlands
In addition to the above links and support services; all of the local community safety partnerships have more information about local services on their websites –
Wolverhampton – Safer Wolverhampton Partnership – 01902 551214 – safer@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Walsall – Safer Walsall Partnership – SaferWalsallPartnership@walsall.gov.uk
Dudley – Dudley Safe and Sound – community.safety@dudley.gov.uk
Sandwell – Safer Sandwell Partnership – 0121 569 2200
Birmingham – Birmingham Community Safety Partnership – Contact form
Solihull – Safer Solihull Partnership 0121 704 6851 safersolihull@solihull.gov.uk
Coventry – Coventry Community Safety Partnership 08085 834333
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