Women’s refuges in critical state

Kelly Gavaghan, who has turned her life around after suffering domestic abuse, said up to 35,000 women are being turned away from refuges each year, and six have closed since the Government’s latest round of cuts.

She said the situation is critical with refuges at bursting point and women and children being left in life-threatening circumstances across the country. The situation is compounded by a cut in legal aid, leaving women to fund their own fight for justice, and cuts to housing benefit for under 25s, the age group least able to help themselves.

She added: “Many of us are appalled that the Government is prepared to allow millions of pounds of public money out of the country in foreign aid without consulting UK taxpaying citizens, yet is not willing to continue funding for vital, life-saving refuges on our own doorstep.”

Ms Gavaghan has now launched an online petition at change.org calling for the Government to reinstate the funding (search for H Bomb).

To raise funds she is relaunching her popular H Bomb music festival at the Red Lion in Market Place, Brackley on Saturday, July 6. Local musicians and families are invited from 3pm for a jam session.

Graffiti artists will provide live demonstrations and, from 7pm, well known DJs from the Ultra Vegas stable, including DJ Salty, Bruce Billingy and Joe Ensall, will take over.

Entry on the door is £5.