Labour Councillor Calls For Better Protection For Women And Children In Havering From The Epidemic Of Violence They Face.

This evening, Members of the Council’s People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee will meet to consider the Havering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2025 – 2029 Refresh, and to make recommendations to the Cabinet Member responsible for the Strategy before it is formally adopted.

 The call-in was initiated by Labour Councillor, Jane Keane (St Alban’s Ward) who recently put a motion about Violence Against Women and Children when her case work highlighted the lack of refuge places for mothers with older boys. Jane also helped draft the Labour Group’s response to the draft strategy. 

 Councillor Keane’s motion was amended and the Council, passed at the Ordinary Meeting of 15 January 2025, the following resolution.

 “The Council condemns all domestic violence and recognises the particular challenges of finding emergency refuge accommodation for mothers with boys over the age of 12 years old. This council calls on the administration to lobby the Mayor of London and the Government to do more to address gaps in provision across the capital and nationally to ensure Havering residents dents have access to refuge care whether in Havering or not.”

 As a consequence of the motion, lobbying of the Government and The Mayor of London has taken place, although upon further clarification it seems that the duty placed upon the Mayor is only to find safe accommodation.  

 Jane feels this duty should be “beefed up”. Safe Accommodation is not refuge accommodation and “Not as good as the support provided within a refuge with trained workers on site to support traumatised women and children”.  

Jane told the Havering Daily: “It may surprise many people to know that the provision of refuges is not a statutory provision and Havering Council supports two refuges in the Borough.  The workers some paid, some voluntary, do essential work protecting women and children from violent partners. I brought my motion because the value of Refuges (and Women’s Aid) needs to be highlighted if we are to provide the best support possible and protect more women and children from harm and possible future budget reductions.”.

 The labour Councillor added: “This motion should have been debated before the start of the White Ribbon campaign in November 2024. I wanted to help our hard working team promote the White Ribbon campaign. Sadly the then Leader of the Conservatives squandered valuable debating time in the chamber.  Time scrutinising the strategy has also been limited. This has not served women and children well. I intend to ensure for the duration of my time in office that the spotlight stays on this issue. ”

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