Feminist activists protest over cuts to domestic violence services

Around 100 women affiliated with the activist group sat outside Churchill Square Shopping Centre from 5pm, releasing coloured flares, and chanting.

A speaker from Survivors Network, a Brighton-based service supporting survivors of sexual violence, was in attendance, along with a former client of RISE, Brighton’s domestic violence support service.

While Chancellor Philip Hammond announced a £20 million pot of funding for women’s services in yesterday’s Budget, Sisters Uncut Brighton said ‘this is not a sustainable funding solution’.

Describing the fund as a ‘sticking plaster on a haemorrhage’, the group says this money will not alleviate ‘the funding crisis’ for domestic violence services.

The group said it is taking action in Brighton as national policy has an impact locally.

Campaigners said according to a council report, between April and September last year domestic and sexual violence support services in Brighton and Hove saw a 28 per cent increase in referrals and an 11 per cent increase in clients compared to the previous six months.

The group said while Brighton and Hove City Council has not cut funding for domestic and sexual violence services in the area, funding has not been increased despite ‘this significant rise in demand’.

Sarah, a Sisters Uncut Brighton member who attended the protest, said: “I came today because I’m angry about the way the government has consistently neglected survivors of domestic violence.”