Women's refuge fears for future

The charity helps women suffering from domestic violence

A charity in Jersey that supports victims of domestic violence has said it is facing a "serious financial struggle".

Jersey Women's Refuge (JWR) needs more than £340,000 every year to survive, but it has announced donations are well down on last year.

The charity said the "turbulent" economic climate had hit money given by businesses on the island.

It said it is running at full capacity and there can be no job losses.

'Catastrophic consequences'

Seven full-time and two part-time staff manage and run the service.

Julie Madden, the fund-raising officer, said: "It is vital that when a women decides to leave an abusive relationship, that a full support network is in place.

"If it isn't there, the consequences can be catastrophic."

Rozelle Sutherland, the chair of the management committee, told BBC News: "We have a responsibility and it's a huge one, it would be heartbreaking to know we'd failed."

Manager Lorna Kearney added: "Our service needs to be available 24-hours-a-day.

"If we don't get the funds, what will we do? What will women and children do if they turn up on our doorstep in the middle of the night and no one's here?"