Surely Charles Dickens’ name is not one to bring up when addressing the effects of funding cuts on vulnerable women seeking refuge (A scandal Dickens would recognise, 29 November)? He bullied his wife and was the covert lover of Ellen Ternan, an impoverished teenager decades younger than him. All that abuse was made possible because of his economic power. Let us fund women’s refuges, services and welfare because it is the right thing to do. Dickens was a wonderful storyteller but his own backstory was considerably less than honourable.

Rosanna Achilleos-Sarll

London