Feminist group removes bus adverts in Tower Hamlets to replace with own posters

Last week, a feminist action group replaced bus adverts in Tower Hamlets in a bid to raise the profile of domestic violence.

Bus adverts across the borough were replaced with Sisters Uncut posters. Picture: Sisters Uncut - Credit: Archant

Sisters Uncut uses direct action to highlight issues facing women, in particular, black, asian and minority ethnic women (BAME).

The group replaced bus adverts in the borough with their own campaign posters, calling on the new council to build a specialist service for victims of domestic abuse.

They claim the budget for refuges in Tower Hamlets has been cut by almost £150,000 in 10 years.

Janelle Brown, a member of Sisters Uncut, said: “The cuts to refuges and services are a political choice with fatal consequences for survivors of domestic violence. The newly-elected mayor and councillors in Tower Hamlets must make space for survivors by creating a new service.”

A council spokesman said: “While it is true that the annual expenditure has reduced by approximately £150,000 during the last ten years, this reduction has been achieved over several years through efficiency savings while actually increasing the commissioned number of refuge bed spaces by 17 per cent.

“Negotiated reductions with providers and the retendering of the existing services have enabled a more financially efficient system to be run and we remain committed to the provision of existing services.”