Women's lives could be put at risk if cuts close a domestic violence refuge in Sussex, campaigners have warned.

A women’s refuge in East Sussex is in the firing line as county councillors try to make £60 million budget cuts.

But campaigners say the crisis accommodation is in huge demand and plays a life- saving role when women flee their homes.

There are currently five refuges in East Sussex, one in each district or borough, with spaces for 47 families in total.
 

The locations are never revealed in order to prevent abusive partners finding them.

East Sussex County Council is proposing to save £65,000 by closing one of its refuges.
 

The money would be part of a £4.1 million reduction to a £48.9 million funding pot in its adult social services budget.

Other affected accommodation services include those for young parents and people affected by mental health and homelessness.

The council is inviting the public to comment on its proposals and its across-the-board £60 million savings package before it makes a decision in February.

Sandra Horley, chief executive of national domestic violence charity Refuge, said lives could be at risk if spaces are reduced.

She said: “As it stands, two women are killed every single week by current or former partners. “If services are lost, how many more will die?

“We must protect funding for vital services – nothing less than the lives of women and children are at stake.”

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said: “We are currently asking the public their views on how we could make savings.

“We are consulting with providers of services on their views too.

“This is an example for people to comment on and no decisions have been made yet – and will not be until February next year at the council meeting.“