The number of women and children staying in domestic violence refuges has increased.
A total of 18,569 women and 23,084 children stayed in refuges at some time during 2004, an increase of 8 per cent over 2003. On a single “census day” last year, there were nearly 3000 women, and 3555 children living in refuges. Another 5000 women and 5000 children approximately were being supported by outreach services from refuges. 45 per cent of the children were under 5.
Women’s Aid who carried out the study reported that refuges accommodated 368 women during 2004 who had no recourse to public funds because of their uncertain immigration status.
