Delegates at UNISON’s national delegate conference have unanimously passed a motion that commits the union to take action on domestic abuse service provision and ensure ‘access for all’ in refuges.
The motion was supported by several emotive speeches from members who had personally experienced domestic abuse.
Introducing the motion, Farida Gullam (pictured) from the national women’s committee said: “Every week, two women are killed by a partner or ex-partner and one in four women in the UK will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives.”
Ms Gullam drew attention to the high cost of refuge places, which makes fleeing domestic abuse an unaffordable choice for many women and children in abusive situations. She explained, “while housing benefit covers some of the cost, if you are working, this can still leave a large sum of rent for the refuge space to be paid.”
She explained that some women have no other option but to give up their job and rely on benefits to access a refuge space. “A woman should not have to give up her home or her employment because of abuse,” she concluded.
Ms Gullam made an open plea to conference delegates to support any family and friends who are experiencing domestic abuse.
The motion was amended to include specific provision for disabled people, who experience higher rates of domestic abuse compared to non-disabled people.
Lola Oyewusi addresses conference. Credit: Marcus Rose
Introducing the amendment, Lola Oyewusi (pictured above) from the national disabled members committee said, “People with disabilities who are trapped in abusive relationships have their dignity taken away from them. We want action, not a tick-box exercise.”
Over a dozen members spoke out in support of the motion as amended, including Pat Heron from the disabled members committee, who said it was UNISON that gave her the strength to speak out about her experiences of domestic abuse. “A doctor had told me that if I didn’t leave my ex-partner, the only way I’d be leaving him was in a wooden box.
“We can all suffer from domestic abuse. Every single one of us has a right to be safe where we are and not to be harmed.”
A delegate from Bristol explained that local government cuts in the area had removed funding for a local charity, One25, that supports sex workers. “When you hear about council cuts, what it really means is grievous bodily harm and death. We, as a union, have to fight to ensure victims can leave their homes and get away from dangerous situations.”
Another delegate, speaking on behalf of Devonshire county council branch, spoke about the scarcity of specialist support for Black LGBT+ people.
This was echoed by another Black member who shared her disappointment after reporting her abuse to the police, who did not take it seriously. “Because of the experience I had, I don’t trust policemen,” she said.
“Institutional racism extends to domestic abuse and social services and it prevents Black women accessing services. Perpetrators use immigration status against Black women and threaten deportation so that people don’t access services. Let’s challenge the government on domestic abuse issues and push for access to all.”
After the supportive speeches, Ms Gullam used her right of reply to affirm the union’s support for domestic abuse survivors and the services they rely on, declaring “the abuser is a loser.”
The motion was passed unanimously.
