Recommendation 15

The Committee has heard about the benefits of existing Women’s Centres in potentially diverting women from custody and providing support to women in their local communities. We note the concerns raised by witnesses that the Government’s investment in Residential Women’s Centres risks diverting money away from Women’s Centres that have a proven track record. We would welcome reassurance from the Government that there will not be a diversion of resources away from existing Women’s Centres. The Ministry of Justice should also set out how it intends to continue to support the work of Women’s Centres in the community alongside the development of RWCs.