News / Society
Rape alarms set off in council meeting
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees has promised to meet representatives from a direct action group who let off rape alarms during a council meeting.
Sisters Uncut were calling for all domestic violence survivors in safe houses be given priority for social housing.
The group unfurled a banner, started chanting and let off an alarm at the meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
is needed now More than ever
Rees offered to meet them after the meeting to discuss their protest and the action they want to see happen, but when they continued shouting they were asked to leave and then escorted from the council chamber in City Hall.
Lilly Small from Sisters Uncut Bristol said: “They offered to let us speak to Marvin Rees after the council meeting but we know his words mean nothing. We need action and now. Women are dying whilst we wait.”
Interesting scenes @BristolCouncil meeting. 6 protestors set off alarm and cause a small spot of havoc
— Pete Simson (@SimsonPete) December 13, 2016
Two separate protests halt proceedings @BristolCouncil. This is the first pic.twitter.com/Y4BtLie2q8
— Pete Simson (@SimsonPete) December 13, 2016
In a statement, the group said: “The council proposes to use the MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) assessment process to determine which women go into Band One priority for social housing. However, only 10 per cent of all cases receive a MARAC, leaving 90 per cent of survivors without support.
“Sisters Uncut Bristol demand that the council invests in social housing in order to meet the needs of all survivors of domestic violence in Bristol.”
Rees said that he has prioritised housing for women fleeing domestic violence and abuse, with a proposal put out for consultation following input from leading domestic violence and abuse and homelessness charities in the city.
He said: “I agree with Sisters Uncut Bristol when they say a major issue is the lack of available homes versus a very high demand.
“This leaves us in a difficult position because there are all sorts of vulnerable and at-risk groups of people who need housing. We have tried to find a workable solution based on assessing the risk to people.
“I offered at Full Council and remain very happy to meet the group. I would welcome them contributing to shaping the policy to ensure our approach is all it needs to be.
Read more: Domestic abuse victims face refuge crisis
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