Victims will have to stay in violent homes

WOMEN and children will be forced to remain in violent households as a result of the changes made to rent allowance eligibility, manager of the Kerry Women’s Resource and Support Services centre, Annamarie Foley, warned.

The Government will now deny rent allowance to anyone who is not already renting somewhere for six months.

“I don’t think people fully realise the effect this will have. If women leave a home to escape abusive partners they are effectively homeless. It isn’t an option to return home and most do not have the money to rent somewhere for six months before they can apply for assistance. This cut will force people to stay in an abusive household,” she said.