Domestic abuse advisors to strike 'indefinitely'

Domestic abuse support workers are striking in Tower Hamlets

Domestic abuse support workers in east London have voted to strike "indefinitely" over proposals they said would put victims and survivors at risk.

Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) from the charity Solace Women's Aid will begin strike action in Tower Hamlets on 14 February.

A spokesperson for the charity said it was merging different funding streams and looking at plans to explore "redeployment opportunities", but was committed to supporting survivors.

Tower Hamlets Council said there was no proposed change to the council's level of funding for Solace.

The workers, who are members of United Voices of the World (UVW) union, returned a 100% vote in favour of strike action following a 92% turnout.

UVW said proposals could see the team cut by a third and warned that would have a "catastrophic impact" on its service users.

The service provides free support, advocacy and referrals to high-risk survivors of domestic violence.

Between April and December 2024, Solace managed 1,139 referrals and supported 227 victim-survivors in the borough.

Isabel Cortés, UVW's assistant general secretary, said strike action was to "preserve services in the long run".

"Our members refuse to stand by while jobs are axed and survivors are left without the support they need," she said.

"They have called indefinite strike action which shows their determination to stand up and win for all victims/survivors in Tower Hamlets."

A spokesperson for Solace said they were consulting with staff over the merging of different funding streams.

"Solace will seek to explore redeployment opportunities, which we have an excellent track record in achieving," they said.

"Solace continues all efforts to work collaboratively and constructively with everyone involved including our staff, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and staff representatives."

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: "We commission Solace to provide specialist support to victims of domestic abuse, a vital resource for our residents.

"No changes have been made to the funding the council provides for these essential services, nor are any changes being proposed.

"Solace is an independent organisation, and we do not have the power to determine their internal structures.

"We are working with Solace to fully understand what impact any proposed changes would have on local service delivery, and we have reached out to United Voices of the World to discuss the important issues they have raised."