BRAVE victims of domestic abuse have spoken about how they have been affected by the cost of living crisis.
The West Midlands victims’ commissioner Nicky Brennan has launched two surveys looking at how the crisis is affecting those who are victims of abuse.
One of the survey is for the victims of domestic abuse, the other for providers who support them.
Now the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has released some of the comments made by those who have completed the survey since it was launched.
A woman commented: “All I want is for me and my children to be safe and not feel like I am begging for support.”
Another added: “I cannot leave my abuser I am stuck. No money, no place to go. Sometimes I think he will kill me.”
One provider said: “We have found more women to be left in debt, especially utility bills. They are in constant use of food banks and cannot afford to travel.
“There is a real increase in having to source basic but essential items like a kettle, bedding, tv, phone etc.”
The West Midlands victims’ commissioner said the survey will help monitor how hard rising bills are impacting both victims and support services.
Ms Brennan said: “We have already heard from many women who are in a desperate situation and the cost of living crisis is making everything worse.
“More and more women are not able to raise the funds to escape their abusers and I want to use the findings of these surveys to lobby government for more support, be it direct, through support services or through more refuge space.”
To complete the anonymous survey visit the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s website and search Cost of Living Crisis survey.
The deadline is August 25 at midday.
