Councillors have questioned whether the cost of living crisis is linked to an increased rate of domestic abuse cases in Wigan. After data revealed an 11 per cent increase of domestic abuse referrals to services in the borough from this time last year, Coun Mary Callaghan questioned officers on whether residents’ safety was impacted by the cost of living crisis.
Officer Sean Melling told the Confident Council Scrutiny Committee that across April, May and June there were 516 referrals to the Wigan Borough Domestic Abuse Service. This was an increase of 51 from the last quarter (465 referrals), Wigan Town Hall heard on October 17.
The officer explained that Wigan Council are working with the police on this issue as well as the Department for Work and Pensions to avoid financial control issues. He explained that the increase is positive in one way as it means more people are coming forward, but he did agree the cost of living crisis may have been causing added stress to households in this period.
