Safe housing denied to 10,000 women in England fleeing domestic abuse

Silhouettes of women are placed outside New Scotland Yard by the charity Refuge in a campaign against domestic violence. Photograph: Alberto Pezzali/AP

More than 10,000 women escaping domestic abuse across England were refused safe housing last year, amid warnings that many could be left homeless or driven back to dangerous partners as a result of a “woeful” lack of safe accommodation.

Official figures seen by the Observer found that almost 8,000 households referred to a safe accommodation service did not receive support because there was no capacity. A further 3,000 were denied places because the shelter “could not meet the needs of the household”, with figures suggesting this was often due to mental health issues, drug and alcohol use or disability.