Labour secures new funding to protect domestic abuse survivors in Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets will benefit from a share of new national funding to expand safe accommodation and specialist support for survivors of domestic abuse, as Labour treats violence against women and girls as a national emergency.
The Government has announced an extra £19 million nationally for safe accommodation support, on top of nearly £500 million already committed to councils, alongside £550 million across the justice system to strengthen counselling, court guidance and children’s services for victims.
This investment will strengthen support for survivors and their children in Tower Hamlets, where domestic abuse remains a significant issue and a leading cause of homelessness.
Domestic abuse in Tower Hamlets: the local picture
Tower Hamlets continues to record one of the highest levels of domestic abuse offences in London, with more than 4,500 recorded incidents in 2023–24. Local data also shows that women aged 18–39 are disproportionately affected, often experiencing coercive, emotional and economic abuse.
Domestic abuse is a major driver of housing insecurity locally. Survivors fleeing abuse frequently present to the council as homeless, often with children, and face the additional pressures of overcrowding, rising rents and a shortage of genuinely affordable homes.
National evidence shows:
- More than one in ten households at risk of homelessness are fleeing domestic abuse
- Nearly 70% of women who slept rough last year had experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16
These figures underline why early intervention, safe accommodation and long-term housing stability are essential.
What this funding means for Tower Hamlets
The additional funding will help strengthen and expand local provision, including:
Safe accommodation and refuges
Survivors who need to flee abuse will continue to be supported through confidential, secure accommodation, with specialist, trauma-informed support for women and children.
Sanctuary Schemes
For survivors who choose to remain in their own homes, Sanctuary Schemes provide security upgrades such as reinforced doors, lock changes and alarms, combined with specialist domestic abuse support. These schemes are particularly important in Tower Hamlets, where maintaining access to schools, family networks and community support can be critical to recovery.
Housing stability and move-on support
The funding supports move-on housing and resettlement support, helping survivors avoid repeat homelessness and rebuild their lives in safety.
Joined-up local services
Homelessness, rough sleeping and domestic abuse funding is now brought together in a single ring-fenced grant, enabling councils to plan holistically and focus on prevention. This aligns with Labour’s National Plan for Homelessness, which prioritises keeping survivors safe at home where possible and ensuring high-quality support when they need to flee.
Removing barriers for survivors
Earlier this year, Labour legislated to end the use of local connection tests when survivors of domestic abuse apply for social housing. This means survivors can access safe housing away from their abuser and, where possible, closer to family or support networks.
Alongside housing support, more than £550 million is being invested nationally across the justice system over the next three years to improve counselling, court guidance and specialist victim services — ensuring survivors are supported at every stage and perpetrators are held to account.
Local support available in Tower Hamlets
If you or someone you know needs help, confidential support is available locally:
- Solace in Tower Hamlets (SASS) – specialist domestic abuse advocacy and crisis support
- Tower Hamlets Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Service Directory – a full list of local support services
- Tower Hamlets Council Housing Options Service – emergency housing advice for people fleeing domestic abuse
No one should have to choose between staying in an unsafe home or facing homelessness. Labour is committed to ensuring survivors in Tower Hamlets can access safety, stability and the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Tower Hamlets Labour’s VAWG spokesperson, Cllr Maisha Begum said:
“Domestic abuse remains a serious issue in Tower Hamlets and is a major cause of homelessness locally.
This new funding will strengthen safe accommodation, sanctuary schemes and specialist support so survivors and their children can be safe, supported and able to rebuild their lives. Labour is treating violence against women and girls as the emergency it is, nationally and here in our borough.”
ENDS
