The cost of freedom: Domestic abuse survivors forced to stay with abusers amid rising cost of living
It took seven years for Abigail to break free of her abusive relationship, but as the cost of living crisis deepens there are concerns others may not be able to break free.
More than three-quarters of domestic abuse survivors (77%) are finding it harder to escape these relationships, the charity Refuge has warned, as people are forced to choose between remaining with their abusive partner or risk destitution.
For almost a decade, Abigail (not her real name) was subjected to physical, mental, financial and sexual abuse – with the attacks becoming so violent on one occasion, she miscarried.
“The last resort for me was he drugged and violently raped me,” she told Sky News.
“And I think for me that was a wake-up call – because I could hardly walk. I just thought this person could kill me.”
But with her abuser’s name on the house, she was reliant on him financially and had to go to court to get him to take his name off the house.
“Simply put – I wouldn’t have been able to leave my abuser if this crisis was happening when I was trying to flee 10 years ago,” she said.
“I felt trapped as it was. One of the elements of abuse he used against me was financial. Alongside the physical and emotional abuse this economic abuse had a big impact when it came to leaving, he controlled everything.”
Abusers taking advantage of crisis
More than half of the frontline staff at Refuge said the cost of living crisis is leading survivors to return to their abusers.
Abigail’s partner would whisper in her ear: “He tried to tell me I was crazy. I couldn’t live without him.”
Refuge’s specialist technology-facilitated and economic empowerment team has seen an 87% increase in referrals for support with complex cases – they say this can be directly linked to the impact of the crisis.
The charity said it will need an additional £1m to address the growing costs of running its specialist services.
It warned perpetrators are also taking advantage of the cost of living crisis to increase economic abuse and control.
Some perpetrators restrict food and heating in an attempt to gain custody of children on the basis that survivors simply cannot afford to maintain a warm home and enough food.
Even seven years ago, setting out on her own was a struggle, said Abigail.
“At one point, I had £1.25 on my electric meter,” she said, adding that at one point she had to pay £1,500 in court costs towards the prosecution of her ex-partner.
He still owes Abigail thousands in child support.
As Christmas approaches, Abigail wants only the best for her four children – who were witnesses of the abuse – and has opened an Argos and Very account in a bid to afford presents.
“I have never had any credit cards before,” she said.
“I want to make sure my children have everything they want and need, but at the same time, I am already stressed when I think about how I am going to pay that off.”
Completely forgotten
One anonymous Refuge frontline worker said: “It feels like survivors of domestic abuse have been completely forgotten about in this crisis. I have clients whose financial situation is so difficult since fleeing that they are considering returning to their abuser.
“They are reliant on food and clothes banks, they have cancelled and cut back anything and everything they can, to be able to afford to pay their bills. This is having such a detrimental impact on survivors’ mental health and wellbeing.
“Some women are really worried about losing access to their children, they tell me that perpetrators are using this cost of living crisis to further their abuse, something we know as post-separation abuse.
“We are doing everything we can with the funding we have to support survivors – we are giving out more foodbank vouchers, more regularly and to more residents who are repeatedly requiring them, but this has led to foodbanks raising with us that they cannot repeatedly give out vouchers.”
Read more: Woman ‘trapped’ with abusive husband due to soaring energy prices
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What is coercive control?
Calls for emergency escape fund
Refuge has called on the government to create an Emergency Domestic Abuse Fund to help survivors flee their abusers. It welcomed the government uplifting benefits in line with inflation but implored it “not wait until next April to make this vital change”.
Ruth Davison, the charity’s CEO, said: “Survivors and their children are struggling now, and they need urgent action to weather the storm of price increases this winter. No one should be left choosing between ongoing abuse and violence or poverty and hunger.
“The reality is that nothing has changed for women and children experiencing domestic abuse in the autumn statement.”
The fund, she added, would ensure “no woman has to choose between financial stability and her physical safety”.
Some 94% of emotional abusers escape conviction, according to Home Office data – despite the fact incidents of controlling and coercive behaviour are on the rise.
The average cost of a divorce in the UK – including legal fees and lifestyle changes, such as needing to find new accommodation – is £14,561, a devastatingly high amount for people who may not have access to their own money.
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Figures from Surviving Economic Abuse and Money Advice Plus found 67% of survivors are already in a negative budget or have less than £100 surplus at the end of the month. They also have an average individual debt of £20,000 – six times more than in 2020, and it’s expected to get worse.
Shanika Hayes, a senior associate at Stowe Family Law, told Sky News: “They may not have their own employment, and even if they find themselves in a situation where they can leave and have their own source of income, their confidence is normally at the point where they feel like they are not worthy of that, or are not able to sustain that.”
For both men and women, the crisis is placing a strain on relationships that can see them edge into abuse.
“Financial issues can be a catalyst to abuse and it’s often the case that this is the straw that broke the camel’s back,” said Ms Hayes.
“Financial worries, whether that’s how they pay bills or increases to cost of living, that can worsen a relationship that is already abusive, or push one into that territory.”
Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline can be reached on 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for free, confidential specialist support.
A man whose arrest sparked a series of protests outside an Essex hotel housing asylum seekers, has been found guilty of sexual assault.
The Bell Hotel in Epping became the focal point of demonstrations after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was arrested, and later charged, on 13 July with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.
Ethiopian national Kebatu, 41, was alleged to have attempted to kiss the teenager, put his hand on her thigh and brushed her hair in July after she offered him pizza.
An adult member of the public also accused Kebatu of trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty, days after he arrived in the UK on a small boat.
Police and protesters outside the Bell Hotel. Pic: PA
Kebatu, who was a “teacher of sports” in his home country, had denied two counts of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and one count of harassment without violence near the Bell Hotel.
But at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, he was found guilty of all charges. District judge Christopher Williams took just 30 minutes to return the verdicts and his reasoning.
The three-day trial heard Kebatu had also told two teenagers he wanted to “have a baby with each of them” – but Kebatu had previously told the trial he was “not a wild animal”.
Mr Williams said he was not persuaded there was “any evidence to suggest the children fabricated any of the evidence they gave”.
The defendant, wearing a grey tracksuit and sitting with a translator, gave no visible reaction as Mr Williams told him he was guilty.
Kebatu is due to be sentenced at the same court on 23 September.
The judge told the defendant that he should expect an “immediate custodial sentence”.
Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper paid tribute to the victims for ensuring the evidence put before the court was strong and true.
“It is because of their accounts of what happened, and the close co-operation with our Crown Prosecution Service colleagues, that we have been able to secure this conviction.
“We’re acutely aware that this incident has attracted widespread public interest.
“We have always said that we treat and investigate every report made to us without fear or favour.”
‘It must never happen again’
Conservative shadow Home Office minister Katie Lam said the guilty verdict showed the risks of allowing asylum seekers “to roam around communities freely”.
“The crimes of this illegal migrant are shocking and heart-breaking and the victims have shown incredible bravery.
“This must never be allowed to happen again. Every illegal migrant should be detained immediately and swiftly deported.”
The incidents sparked protests and counter-protests outside the former Bell Hotel – as well as at hotels housing asylum seekers across the country.
Rebecca Mundy, deputy chief crown prosecutor with CPS East of England, said: “This was an incident which became a cause of deep concern for the local community.
“Our prosecutors worked carefully and impartially to bring this case to justice according to the law.”
A total of 17 people have been injured, with most taken to hospital, after a bus struck pedestrians on a busy London street.
The driver of the Route 24 bus was among those hurt after the bus mounted the pavement on Victoria Street, near Victoria Station.
It took place at around 8.20am on Thursday, according to the Metropolitan Police.
“Two people were treated at the scene, while 15 were taken to and remain in hospital. This includes the driver of the bus. There were no life-threatening injuries reported,” police said in a statement.
A number of emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and a fire engine, were called to the scene, with bus passengers also understood to be among those injured.
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Injured transported to hospital following London bus crash
The road remains closed, with all vehicles being diverted from the area, police said.
Images from the scene show the front of the bus with visible damage and the windscreen smashed.
‘People were screaming’
Emit Suker, 47, told PA news agency: “It (the bus) was coming from Westminster. There were about 15, 16 people inside the bus. People were screaming – it was terrible.”
Another eyewitness said: “I heard a massive crash – came outside and there was a woman on the floor with loads of people around her.
“Lots of people from the gym had run out to help her.”
A trail of diesel running down Allington Street forced police to ban smoking in the area over fears of an incident.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed it was called at 8.20am to reports of a road traffic collision.
They added: “We have sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, advanced paramedics, a paramedic in a fast response car, a clinical team manager, an incident response officer and a command support vehicle. We’ve also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.
An eyewitness said they heard ‘a massive crash’
‘Distressing incident’
Rosie Trew, Transport for London’s (TfL) head of bus service delivery, said: “Our thoughts are with the people who have been injured following a bus incident at Victoria Street.
“We are working with the police and the operator, Transport UK, to urgently investigate this incident.
“This must have been a distressing incident for everyone involved and we have support available for anyone affected.”
Dashcam footage appeal
Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah said the crash would have been “very distressing” and, as part of the police investigation, they were asking for people to send in any footage of the incident.
“We are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to please contact us. We welcome any dashcam or mobile phone footage.
“We are working closely with our partners to clear the scene, but the road will remain closed for the next few hours, so please seek alternative routes,” she said.
Two pedestrians have been killed in bus crashes in the Victoria area in recent years.
Catherine Finnegan, 56, from County Galway, Ireland, died after she was hit by a double-decker bus at Victoria bus station in January last year.
In August 2021, Melissa Burr, 32, from Rainham, Kent, was killed at the station after bus driver Olusofa Popoola accidentally accelerated into the back of a stationary bus, shunting it into her.
The executive chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, Daniel Levy, has stepped down after nearly 25 years in the role.
A source close to the Lewis family trust which owns the majority stake in Spurs told Sky News that they want “more wins more often” in a “new era” for the club.
Mr Levy, known for his tough negotiating style, was often a source of frustration for fans who blame him for failing to deliver the players capable of winning regular silverware.
But he has also been responsible for transforming the club with a new stadium and a state-of-the-art training ground.
Mr Levy is stepping down after playing an instrumental role in bringing in new head coach Thomas Frank following the departure of Ange Postecoglou – who was sacked despite winning the Europa League with the club last season.
The victory over Manchester United ended Spurs’ 17-year wait for a trophy and will likely be seen as the high point of Mr Levy’s time as executive chairman.
The win put Spurs in the lucrative Champions League for the seventh time under My Levy – however it also came during a season that Tottenham finished 17th in the league on the back of a club-record of 22 defeats.
Mr Levy had previously brought in big name managers such as Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte in failed attempts to bring long-awaited silverware to the club.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou lifting the Europa League trophy with his players.
Pic: Pa
Before stepping down he was the longest-serving chairman in the Premier League after purchasing a stake in Spurs from Lord Alan Sugar in December 2000.
Mr Levy said this evening: “I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees. We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level.
“More than that, we have built a community. I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years.
“I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately.”
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Tottenham FC said in a statement: “As part of its succession planning, the club has made a number of senior appointments in recent months. Vinai Venkatesham was hired as chief executive officer (CEO), with Thomas Frank as our new men’s head coach and Martin Ho as women’s head coach.
“Peter Charrington joined the board and will step into the newly created role of non-executive chairman.”
It added: “There are no changes to the ownership or shareholder structure of the club.”
Mr Charrington said in a statement: “I am very honoured to become non-executive chairman of this extraordinary club and, on behalf of the board, I would like to thank Daniel and his family for their commitment and loyalty to the club over so many years.”
A source close to the Lewis family trust which owns the majority stake in Tottenham Hotspur told Sky News: “Generations of the Lewis family support this special football club and they want what the fans want – more wins more often. This is why you have seen recent changes, new leadership and a fresh approach. In Vinai, Thomas and Peter Charrington, they believe they are backing the right team to deliver on this. This is a new era.”
Spurs are ranked ninth on the Forbes soccer rich list with an estimated value of $3.3bn (£2.5bn).
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