Right now, life-saving domestic and sexual violence services are being slashed. It’s leaving women and children across the UK at risk.

Some of the people who are left the most affected are women and children from black and ethnic minority backgrounds - who have higher rates of domestic homicide in the UK. 

We have a chance now to take a stand and reverse this terrifying trend. Newham Council have just cut the funding for London Black Women’s Project (LBWP) - who have been supporting women and children fleeing domestic and sexual violence in Newham for over 32 years. Their services, which save lives, include five domestic violence refuges which ensure women and children are safe when they are forced to leave home.

In sensitive situations like this, being able to work with women who understand your culture and experience is vital. LBWP are experts at responding to domestic violence, sexual abuse, forced marriage, sexual bullying and ‘grooming’ - who know how to help BME women to safety and give them support in rebuilding their lives.

I work with grassroots women's organisations supporting BME women and I know how vital the refuges are to them. That’s why we’re calling on the council to overturn the decision to cut the funding. 

LBWP’s reputation is important as the women and girls seeking help via word of mouth, through sisters, mums, aunts, friends and trusted colleagues. Because of its reputation, women know that if they get in touch the women they talk to will be like them and will understand the issues they face.

The refuges will be replaced by a larger organisation that doesn’t understand the unique needs of BME women. It’s a risk to these women’s lives. 

22 BME refuges across the country have had their funding cut or have been taken over by larger organisations in the past 12 years. This needs to end now.

Join us and call on Rokhsana Fiaz, the elected Mayor of Newham, to review and reverse the decision and to ensure that critical, lifesaving diverse pathways for women and children remain open.

Thank you for reading this and please share it with as many people as you can.

#WomenSayNoMore

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