Victims of domestic abuse in Newcastle are facing “unacceptable” waits to get help.
City leaders have warned that support services for women and girls who have suffered from domestic violence are oversubscribed and operating with waiting lists. Councillors heard on Thursday that the trend was “deeply worrying” as the number of recorded domestic abuse crimes in the city continues to rise.
A report to Newcastle City Council’s overview and scrutiny committee stated that there were 5,345 recorded in Newcastle in 2021/22, an increase of more than 200 compared to two years earlier, and that 557 victims were identified as being at high risk. It reported that a city refuge service is “typically full” and outreach services are “consistently at capacity or with a waiting list”, as is sexual violence counselling service.
