by Our News Desk

HUNDREDS of women blockaded busy London streets yesterday as they took action against Tory cuts to domestic violence services. Members of Sisters Uncut stopped bank holiday traffic as they marched on City Hall in a colourful pre-election protest. Members of the group also occupied the roof of the nearby London Council’s building, unfurling a huge banner reading: “You cut, we bleed.”

Photographs show activists letting off smoke bombs in the green and purple colours of the Suffragettes as the banner was draped down the office block.

The group marched on City Hall, where they staged a commemoration of women murdered by violent partners and family members.

Joanna, who fled an abusive relationship five years ago, was among up to 600 women who took to the streets.

She said: “I genuinely believe that without a domestic violence support worker I would be dead.

“I was lucky — there was someone on the phone who knew what to say, who believed in me and who gave me time to work out what I wanted.

“I’m protesting because everyone should be allowed access and support from people who understand.”

Women’s Aid figures show that the number of women’s refuges decreased from 187 to 155 under the first four years of the conservative coalition.

And the charity estimates that an average 103 children and 155 women are turned away from refuges every day because their is not enough room.

Sisters Uncut said many more women’s organisations are now being run “on a shoestring” because cash-strapped councils have passed on funding cuts.

Domestic violence agency worker Rachel, who was at the protest, said that domestic violence services must be a priority for whatever government is elected on Thursday.

“I’ve seen first hand both the life-saving impact of specialist domestic violence services and enormous strain on the staff when funding is cut,” she said.

Sisters Uncut said that the demonstration was called on the May bank holiday to protest against the attack on female workers as part of International Workers’ Day events.

“Under austerity, specialist services have lost funding and highly qualified workers have had wages cut or lost their jobs completely.”