NAVCA is celebrating Southall Black Sisters' (SBS) High Court victory over Ealing Council last Friday (18 July). The case followed Ealing Council's attempt to introduce a generic borough-wide service for all victims of domestic violence, a move that threatened the future of SBS' service for black and minority ethnic (BME) women in Ealing. However, in court on Friday, Ealing Council conceded defeat and withdrew from the case.
Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NAVCA, said,
"I am delighted that Southall Black Sisters have won this case. They are an organisation that has won national recognition for the work they do and should never have been put in this situation by Ealing Council.
"Southall Black Sisters' victory is good news for everyone who believes, as NAVCA does, that it is right to fund BME organisations providing specialist services as this is the best way to tackle inequality and help disadvantaged groups.
"NAVCA argues from experience that, as well as being the best way to provide vital services, 'single group funding' reduces segregation as it gives BME organisations the confident organisational base that enables them to look outwards and contribute more to civil society.
"I hope that other local authorities will take note of this case and think twice before doing anything that may undermine the principle of single group funding".