What action is the Cabinet Minister taking to remove barriers faced by working women fleeing high-risk domestic abuse, who are often deemed too financially independent for refuge but are unable to buy safety privately?
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that all survivors of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence have equal access to high-quality, needs-led support and services that help them achieve safety and recovery.
Refuge accommodation is available to any survivor who needs to flee abuse and access safety, regardless of their employment status. Specialist support is available to help survivors navigate the practical, financial and housing challenges that may arise when leaving an abusive relationship, including where economic and financial abuse has affected their ability to access or control financial resources.
Our revenue and capital investment funds the provision, purchase, refurbishment and improvement of refuge accommodation across Wales to help ensure safe accommodation remains available to those who need it. We are also exploring how, through the Renting Homes Act, we can make access to refuge accommodation simpler, faster and easier to navigate for those fleeing abuse.
We fund a range of frontline specialist violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence services including the Live Fear Free helpline. These services provide confidential advice and support, helping survivors understand the practical, financial and housing assistance available to them. They may also be able to provide advice on accessing emergency financial assistance, welfare benefits and other sources of support, or signpost survivors to appropriate services where further assistance is needed.
Where remaining locally would place a survivor at risk, specialist services, including Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs), work with survivors and partner agencies to consider the safest options available, including relocation where appropriate.
Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) play an important role in coordinating support and safety planning for survivors assessed as being at high risk, helping agencies work together to address risks and facilitate access to safe accommodation where necessary. In addition, homelessness legislation enables people fleeing domestic abuse to seek assistance from another local authority without local connection requirements creating a barrier to accessing support.