Lib Dems Attack Lack of Local Support for Women Experiencing Violence in Rural South East Cambridgeshire

6.52.07pm GMT Mon 3rd Dec 2007

Liberal Democrats say the lack of local specialist support for women experiencing violence in rural South East Cambridgeshire is a disgrace and needs to be addressed urgently.

The absence of women support services in the council districts of East and South Cambridgeshire is highlighted in a report "Map of Gaps" just published by End Violence Against Women and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The report shows that the 103,000 women in the two districts have no local refuges, community domestic violence projects, rape crisis centres, sexual violence support services and the specialised services within the statutory sector that provide significant support.

Women in these districts have to rely on support centred in Cambridge City or through national agencies.

The poor level of support in the two rural council districts is also identified by the Audit Commission.

In its latest performance table in meeting Best Value Performance Indicator 225 "Actions Against Domestic Violence" both East and South Cambs Councils have achieved below average scores. Cambridge City on the other hand is among the top performers.

Jonathan Chatfield the Liberal Democrats parliamentary spokesperson for South East Cambridgeshire said:

"The support agencies centred in Cambridge City do a great job, such as the Cambridge Women's Aid Outreach Project. But women in violent situations need and deserve access to quality local support services.

"We should be ashamed that outside Cambridge City in our area of Cambridgeshire the Map of Gaps report shows no provision of local support for women affected by violence and that the two local councils are so far performing below average in taking action against domestic violence.

"We support the call for the Government and councils to take urgent action to ensure there is consistent national coverage and funding of specialised support services for all women experiencing violence, where they live - even in rural areas."