Sadiq chose Lambeth as the location for the announcement in recognition of the borough’s London leading work to tackle violence against women and girls, and the councils effective work with community organisations in Lambeth supporting those in need, including Refuge, Solace and Asha.
Word from the Council Leader
Cllr Claire Holland, the Leader of Lambeth Council, said: “We are proud of Lambeth’s leading work to support women and girls who are victims and survivors of domestic abuse, and to work with the Mayor of London on our shared ambitions to keep women and girls safe.
“This visit recognises Lambeth’s long history of strong local funding, partnerships and expertise. We are committed to tackling gender-based violence in all its forms in our borough and have protected these services from the deep funding cuts our sector has faced over many years.”
Lambeth council funds 52 refuge bed spaces, which is the highest number of commissioned domestic abuse safe accommodation beds in any London borough, and twice as many as the London average.
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Domestic abuse refuges and community organisations are a lifeline for so many Londoners in need.
“Despite caseloads growing, grassroot support groups are struggling to survive due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and years of underfunding from the previous government.
“So I’m pleased to be working with partners to fund vital support services for thousands of survivors of domestic abuse and violence who need safe accommodation across our city.”
Lambeth Council’s strategy for tackling violence against women and girls has been in place since 2021 and sets out how the council works with its partners on the issue over the following five years.
Effective services
It builds on previous strategies and a decade of work to establish effective services, partnerships and processes that support victims and survivors and their children and hold perpetrators to account.
Cllr Holland said: “The majority of our offer is culturally specific support in recognition of the evidenced benefit of tailored support for women and their children fleeing abuse.
“There is also specialist community-based support for victims and survivors of all genders and ages who are at risk of gender based violence through our free, confidential and independent service, the Gaia Centre.
“We now look forward to working with the Mayor and his team on a fair and sustainable offer for those fleeing domestic abuse across London.”
