Key Points:
- Havering Council is reviewing the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2025–2029.
- Labour Councillor Jane Keane (St Alban’s Ward) initiated a call-in to strengthen refuge provisions for women and children.
- The Council passed a resolution on 15 January 2025, condemning domestic violence and recognising the lack of refuge places for mothers with older boys.
- The Council urged the Mayor of London and the Government to address gaps in emergency refuge accommodation.
- Lobbying efforts have taken place, but current obligations only require the Mayor to find safe accommodation, not full refuge care.
- Jane Keane argues that safe accommodation lacks trained on-site support for traumatised women and children.
- Havering Council currently supports two refuges, but refuge provision is not a statutory requirement.
- Keane criticised the previous Conservative leadership for failing to prioritise this issue before the White Ribbon campaign in November 2024.
- She vows to keep the spotlight on domestic violence support for the remainder of her tenure.
Havering Council’s People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee is meeting to discuss the borough’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2025–2029. The strategy is under review before formal adoption, with recommendations set to be made to the Cabinet Member responsible.
Labour Councillor Jane Keane (St Alban’s Ward) called for a closer review after her casework highlighted the lack of refuge spaces for mothers with older boys. She played a key role in drafting the Labour Group’s response to the strategy and is pushing for stronger protections for victims.
What action has Havering Council taken to address domestic violence?
At its Ordinary Meeting on 15 January 2025, the Council passed a resolution condemning all domestic violence. The resolution acknowledged that mothers with boys over 12 struggle to access refuge accommodation.
The Council called on the Mayor of London and the Government to fill gaps in emergency accommodation, ensuring Havering residents can access refuge support both locally and elsewhere.
Is the Mayor of London required to provide refuge accommodation?
While lobbying efforts have taken place following the Council’s resolution, further clarification revealed that the Mayor of London is only obligated to find “safe accommodation”—not full refuge care.
Jane Keane argues this is inadequate, stating:
“Safe accommodation is not as good as the support provided within a refuge with trained workers on-site to support traumatised women and children.”
She is urging the Government and the Mayor to strengthen this duty, ensuring victims receive specialist support, not just a place to stay.
How many refuges does Havering currently have?
Havering Council supports two refuges, but Keane points out that refuge provision is not a statutory requirement. She stressed the importance of these facilities:
“The workers—some paid, some voluntary—do essential work protecting women and children from violent partners.”
She believes the value of Women’s Aid and refuges must be highlighted to prevent potential funding cuts in the future.
Why did Jane Keane criticise the previous Conservative leadership?
Keane criticised the former Conservative leadership for failing to prioritise the debate on domestic violence support before the White Ribbon campaign in November 2024.
“I wanted to help our hardworking team promote the White Ribbon campaign. Sadly, the then Leader of the Conservatives squandered valuable debating time in the chamber.”
She also expressed frustration over the limited scrutiny time given to the strategy, arguing that it has not served women and children well.
Keane has vowed to keep this issue in focus throughout her time in office to ensure the best support for victims of domestic violence.
