Deaths from violence in the home rise by 40%
The number of women killed by a violent partner has soared by more than 40 per cent in the last year, figures reveal today.
They show that up to two women die at the hands of their husband or boyfriend every week, with the number of deaths rising from 72 in 2008 to 102 last year.
Today's figures collated by domestic violence charity Refuge, also show more than one in four women experience domestic violence at some point in their lives and that one in three local authorities provides no refuge or specialist support.
Currently, about £3.5 million a year is pumped into services, such as emergency refuges, to help those at risk rebuild their lives. But the spending could be slashed because of government-imposed cuts to councils meaning vital services that have helped hundreds of thousands of violence and sex abuse victims in London are under threat.
London Councils, which represents the capital's 33 local authorities, has provided a grant to 36 organisations that have helped women and children.
Although it has recently indicated the current levels of funding will remain, it is re-assessing the scheme and making its final decision next week.
Charity Refuge and cosmetics company Avon today handed in an 8,000-strong petition to 10 Downing Street calling for specialist domestic violence services to be saved.
The two were joined by Sheryl Gascoigne — who suffered abuse at the hands of footballer Paul Gascoigne.
The move comes on the second anniversary of the death of Maria Stubbings, from Chelmsford.
She was killed by her ex-boyfriend Marc Chivers, who had previously been given a 15-year sentence for killing a former partner.
Chivers, who assaulted the 50-year-old in July 2008, strangled her with a dog lead days after she told police that December that she feared for her safety. Two years on, the Independent Police Complaints Commission published its report into the "serious failings" which led to the mother-of-two's death.
It said human error was to blame and ordered Essex Police to review handling of domestic violence calls.
Her brother Manuel Fernandez said: "I am deeply disappointed that the IPCC report and its recommendations fail to come even close to achieving positive long-term change. A few tickings off and a recommendation to change international law does not cut it."
Celia Peachey, Ms Stubbings' daughter, said: "My mum repeatedly went to the police for help. She told them she was in danger. They turned their back on her."
Ms Gascoigne added: "As a survivor of domestic violence I want to ensure every woman, no matter where she lives, can access support and safety."
Sandra Horley, the chief executive of Refuge said: "Every woman has a basic human right to live free from violence and fear."
