THE region’s three elected Police and Crime Commissioners have joined forces to try to persuade the Government to stop means testing victims of domestic abuse.

Teesside charity My Sister’s Place and Unison also argue that it is harder for women who appear to have too much money to secure protection and support, including at women’s refuges.

They say that the women may appear to have the money to pay between £100 and £250 week in a refuge with their children, but in fact a controlling partner has access to the cash.

Barry Coppinger, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the Cleveland Police area, Vera Baird, PCC for Northumbria and Ron Hogg for Durham, have all backed a campaign for means testing, an assessment of a woman’s income, to be waived, at least at the point where the female is trying to get to a refuge.

Representatives from My Sister’s Place, which helps vulnerable women, and Unison say that many women are advised to give up their jobs to access state benefits as a route to housing benefit and safety.

That sometimes undermines their independence and makes it harder to find a long-term solution and can put a woman’s safety at risk.

The charity, PCCs and Unison are urging the public to sign a petition to change the way the Government deals with the abused women.

Mr Coppinger, said: “This is a really important campaign, and while its conception is on Teesside, the issue affects women much further afield, so I’m pleased my counterparts are also helping to raise awareness of the petition.”

Michelle O’Rourke from My Sister’s Place said: “We feel it is vital for women that have made the decision to leave an abusive relationship to have equal access to safe accommodation regardless of their economic status.”

Clare Williams, UNISON’s regional convenor, said: “The prevalence of domestic abuse continues to be a shadow on our society which we all must work to eradicate.”

Ron Hogg, Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Having immediate access to a safe environment is a priority for those who are suffering from domestic abuse. By signing this petition, the public will be making a stand with us to ensure the Government does more to protect vulnerable women at risk of further abuse”.

The Home Office was contacted for comment but there was no response as we went to press.

The petition is available to sign at change.org and searching for My Sister’s Place, or via the link on the website cleveland.pcc.police.uk