A total of £3million in extra funding has been announced to help women from black and ethnic minority backgrounds in London escape family violence.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said some survivors stay with abusers because they cannot afford to leave - and those that do flee risk ending up in debt.
More 30,000 women and girls have received specialist help to rebuild lives from City Hall’s Violence Against Women and Girls Grassroots Fund in the past two years.
It has supported 41 organisations working with Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and other underrepresented groups, including those involved in prostitution and with disabilities.
Beyond The Streets in Tower Hamlets, Whitechapel-based Sister Circle and Hackney’s Diverse Voices are among projects providing access to legal advice, counselling, emergency housing and other key services.
Mr Khan said: “I am determined to ensure that ending violence against women and girls is treated with the utmost urgency by our police and society as a whole.
“Local grassroots services know their communities and are best placed to help, but we know the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is having an unprecedented impact on women and children experiencing violence and abuse and the life-saving services they need.
“That’s why I have today announced £3million more in funding for my Violence Against Women and Girls Grassroots Fund to help keep doors open for key and specialised services for underrepresented communities who too often have nowhere to turn.
“As we continue to work together to build a safer London for everyone, I’m determined to do everything I can to help these organisations which are experiencing a surge in demand to support more women and girls.
“I look forward to working closely with the new Government in the coming months to do even more to support the most vulnerable in our society and help them access the one-to-one help they desperately need and deserve.”
Karen Wint, CEO of Sister Circle, added: “For us as an organisation, this grant came at a critical time for our counselling service, supporting women with emotional and mental scars of female genital cutting.
“Being able to offer the service in multiple community languages means more women can access our service.
“This helps us deliver expert care and improve the wellbeing and long-term mental health of women and girls who have been through this ordeal.”
Paul Buchanan, interim CEO of The London Community Foundation said: “We are very proud to work with the mayor on this crucial work to tackle violence against women and girls.
“This type of targeted funding and support for specialist organisations is vital.
“The importance of offering services which are tailored to the different needs of those affected by violence against women and girls in London cannot be overstated.”
