Nahar Choudhury, CEO of Solace, said: “We welcome the government’s recognition of the unique barriers that women who are experiencing rough sleeping face, including the high prevalence of violence and abuse these women experience, both as a cause and a consequence of their homelessness. The strategy’s recognition that women are too often undercounted in government statistics, as outlined in our annual Women’s Rough Sleeping Census, is also positive.
“Given women’s historical and systemic lack of support, however, Government action must go beyond toolkits or updating existing statutory guidance we currently see local authorities fail to follow. The risk of sexual violence and domestic abuse women sleeping rough face must be met with action: specific, tailored provision and funding, details of which this strategy lacks.”