Women’s Aid has called for changes to the implementation of the benefit cap after evidence has come to light suggesting that it is making it much harder for women to escape from abusive relationships.

The evidence was released by London borough of Haringey, which apparently reports knowing of  "several" cases of women choosing to stay with violent but employed partners, believing that if they took their children and left him they would be subject to the cap and unable to afford to support themselves and their children.

“One in four women in the UK will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, and for many it will seriously impact their ability to earn or be financially independent,” said Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid. “For many women experiencing domestic violence, the fear that they will not be able to feed and house themselves and their children is a huge stumbling block to leaving.

“No one should be forced to choose between being abused and not being able to support their family, but that is precisely the position the benefit cap puts women in. We urge the government to ensure the welfare system works to support women to escape domestic violence without fear of financial recrimination,” she added.

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