Funding to tackle violence against women and girls in London is fragmented, complex and difficult to understand, according to a new report.
London Councils says this is leading to some victims and survivors ‘falling through the gaps’.
The report by Against Violence and Abuse says support services are facing significant challenges in accessing funding.
Contracts are underfunded for the services they are expected to deliver, leading to organisations having to use their reserves to make up the difference or rely on unpaid labour by professionals working in the field.
It says services need greater security to ensure that their support is not limited, and a longer-term approach to funding is needed which is multi-year and available across all forms of support.
Jas Athwal of London Councils said: ‘The short-term nature of funding to provide support services means vulnerable Londoners are being exposed to unnecessary risk whilst facing barriers in accessing the vital support they need.
‘We need long term and sustainable funding to ensure that Londoners can access the right support for them and at the right time.’
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