by Skye Mincher, Tower Hamlets Socialist Party
There was one statistic on my mind during the protest – 97%.
The UN reported that 97% of women in the UK aged 18-24 have experienced sexual harassment. Of these, 45% did not report it, because they believed that reporting it “wouldn’t help”.
Rather than relying on the police, who notoriously under-convict sexual assault cases, many women rely on specialist services.
Solace is an organisation that provides help for victims of domestic violence, particularly those facing economic crisis as well as domestic abuse.
Solace has announced that one third of its domestic violence advisors are due to be made redundant, and up to half of the whole team could face losing their jobs, due to cuts made by charity bosses.
Photo: Hugo Pierre
On 6 February, Solace workers organised a lobby outside of Tower Hamlets town hall, through their union, United Voices of the World (UVW), in an effort to stop these cuts. Hundreds of people gathered to support them.
Solace workers have voted 100% in favour of a strike, with a 92% turnout. It will be the first indefinite strike in the domestic violence sector in Britain, and is due to start on 14 February.
Why do the charity bosses believe it is reasonable to lay off so many workers, from such an important role? The charity has not said why they have made this decision or where that money would be spent, which is disturbing for workers and service users.
Aspire
Tower Hamlets Council is run by the independent Aspire party. The council commissions Solace to provide services to victims of domestic abuse.
The council says it has not cut funding for Solace. And Aspire councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury repeated this when he spoke in support at the protest.
Solace’s financial books should be opened to inspection by the trade unions, council, and the local community. Let’s see where the money is going.
The council should take all necessary steps to stop the redundancies. The UVW union has said that redundancies should pause, which would allow this to happen.
Seeing the crowd of people gathered to support Solace workers was an uplifting sight. Apsana Begum MP, who remains suspended from Labour for opposing Keir Starmer’s austerity, was among the speakers.
Solace’s website states that it gives priority to “victims/survivors who are identified as high risk, homeless, or experiencing economic abuse”. But with poverty rates increasing, how will Solace continue supporting victim/survivors while making cutbacks?
Highest child poverty
Tower Hamlets has the worst child poverty rate, currently a horrific 48% of children living in poverty. Many of those experiencing abuse have children to provide for. But, without appropriate support, they are unable to afford the necessities needed for their children, if they attempt to escape an abusive relationship. Solace, and other services like it, need more resources to impact the lives of those facing hardship, not less.
Members of the Socialist Party in Tower Hamlets are organising solidarity for the Solace strikers. They will speak at our Socialist Party public meeting on 11 February, and we are raising their dispute in our trade union branches.