Domestic abuse charities need more money - Mel B

Spice Girls star Melanie Brown has urged the government to increase funding for domestic abuse charities.

The Leeds-born singer, who is a patron of Women's Aid, which works to end domestic abuse against women and children, said ministers were only allocating a "little bit of money each year" to organisations which cared for survivors.

Ms Brown, 49, has previously spoken of her experience of what she described as an abusive relationship, which she said had left her without access to money or a network.

The government said it had taken "bold steps" since taking office in its efforts to cut violence against women and girls.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ms Brown said addressing domestic abuse was "not just about talking about it".

"It is getting the funding, because the government, they just allocate a little bit of money each year, but they end up spending millions because of the police service, because of the fact that they have to have a safe house," she said.

"They end up spending so much money anyway. If they just set it aside and allocate it properly, and go to a charity with a foundation [in domestic abuse], the money goes direct to the survivor and they actually get the benefits from it."

Ms Brown told the event: "When you've been abused, you need a different kind of care and understanding."

She added that compared with other issues such as alcoholism, "when it comes to abuse, there's nothing still".

Ms Brown has regularly called for awareness of the needs of survivors of domestic abuse, including better through the health service and the court system.

"If I wanted to report it and deal with the justice system, I'm fighting a losing battle because the judges are not educated. I have to sit next to my perpetrator, and how am I going to feel":[]}