After an incredibly successful first two months of the SOS campaign we will be handing in the SOS petition to No.10 Downing Street on Thursday 20 November!

The hand-in will be alongside a firm ask that the Government commits to protecting our national network of refuges during the 16 Days of Action Against Gender Violence, which commences on Tuesday 25 November.

To mark Women’s Aid handing-in the SOS petition we will be holding a candle-lit Vigil on Thursday 20 November at Downing Street from 6pm to 7pm gathering enabling SOS campaign supporters to show their support for the women and children living in refuges as we stand together.

We are aiming to have numerous SOS candle-lit vigils happening across the country simultaneously. We are inviting our supporters to come and join us at our Downing Street vigil or to attend or organise a local vigil to take place at the same time. Please keep checking this webpage to keep up to date with vigil plans.

Individuals planning to come along to the Downing St vigil should be aware that there will be media in attendance who may take and use photos of the crowd.

For further information about the SOS vigil please visit our website www.womensaid.org.uk/sos .

Please sign the petition SOS: Save Refuges, Save Lives

To: Prime Minister , the Rt Hon David Cameron MP

Our world-leading national network of specialist refuges is in a crisis. Across England, specialist refuges are closing or being replaced by non-specialist providers because of funding cuts and poor local commissioning decisions.

We want the Government to commit to preserving the national network of specialist refuges and exploring a new model of funding and commissioning for refuges which supports a sustainable service and high quality care. Without refuges, women will have nowhere to go to flee domestic violence. This crisis will cost lives. We must act now.

Why is this important?

Two women are killed every week in England by a partner or ex-partner. These are the women who desperately need these specialist refuges.

Last year Women’s Aid member organisations supported nearly 10,000 women and over 10,000 children in refuge accommodation. However, on one day alone in 2013, 155 women with 103 children were turned away from the first refuge they approached, primarily due to a lack of available spaces.

From 2010 to 2014 the number of specialist refuges declined from 187 to 155, leaving many more vulnerable women and children at risk and without specialist support.

Closures of specialist refuges will cost lives. Help us to keep these services open for the women and children who need them. Help us Save Refuges to Save Lives.

How it will be delivered

We will deliver these petitions by hand.

You can sign the petition at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sos-save-refuges-save-lives

November 11, 2014