Welsh Women’s Aid have publicly released their letter to Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt stating that they are deeply concerned that despite previous correspondence with Welsh Government, there has been no ringfenced emergency funding provided to specialist support services to meet the needs of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Services?providing violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV) support?across?Wales?are in?urgent?need of?ring-fenced?emergency funding. The funding that has been announced so far are existing funds announced in December, pre-allocated on pre-existing needs prior to Covid 19. This is hugely troubling, as a survey of specialist services?in Wales?has?confirmed that at least 90% of services are incurring additional costs due the circumstances caused by Covid-19.??

The letter released publicly, follows the Deputy Minister’s statement announcinga £1.2 million to fund community accommodation for victims of domestic abuse, as well as an additional £200,000 for furnishings, computer equipment and white goods which was actually allocated last year and not in direct response to the unprecedented measures that have?been?taken due to the circumstances caused by Covid-19?as the statements wording would suggest.?

Sara Kirkpatrick, CEO of Welsh Women’s Aid said: “Specialist services are working incredibly hard to maintain provision. While Welsh Government has alluded to funds?in its?announcements, there?appears to be?a clear disconnect between this and the process of money being allocated to?front line VAWDASV services.?

“We know that even?before this crisis?512 survivors were unable to be supported in refuges because of a lack of service space, capacity or resources.2 During a time of national crisis when survivors do not have the same access to support networks as usual, it is more vital than ever that services are sustainable and we leave no one behind. Additional flexible funding must now be provided to the VAWDASV specialist sector.” The letter?sets out why the VAWDASV?specialist?sector requires:?

•A?ring-fenced pot of funding for VAWDASV specialist services?at least?equivalent to funding being invested elsewhere in the UK.??

•A?clear plan to replace the funding that has been repurposed?to meet the impact of COVID-19.?

•Funding that can be?flexibly utilised for revenue and support costs?– current funding only covers capital costs and not the additional costs to meet the support needs of survivors.??

•Swift access to funding. In Scotland, £1.5 million was provided with immediate effect to invest in support needs as and when?they?developed, recognising that services?have?to be responsive to changing needs and do not have capacity to fill in endless application forms.??

“Funding must meet the diversity of needs?including BME specialist services who are faced with additional costs associated with maintaining social distancing and minimising the spread of infection by replicating provision to meet religious and cultural practices.?Sexual violence services that anticipate a backlog in demand that could impact on waiting lists for support following the end of lockdown. Children and young people in refuge need more support time and activities while they are not in school. There is an expectation that the need for support will increase once lockdown is lifted and more survivors can come forward. It is critical that the government and others ensure that the services can keep their doors open to be there when and where survivors need it.”