£1.5m to support victims of domestic abuse is welcomed
MP: CASH WILL ENSURE ACCESS TO SAFE ACCOMMODATION
BURTON MP Kate Griffiths has welcomed cash awards to local authorities in Staffordshire to help fund a new duty to ensure victims of domestic abuse and their children are able to access life-saving support in safe accommodation.
A total of £125 million has been allocated to councils across England to support those affected. The new funding is part of the Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill and package of comprehensive support for victims.
Under the initiative, Staffordshire County Council is to receive £1,554,370, and East Staffordshire Borough Council £33,386.
The extra funding will help victims and their children access lifesaving support in safe accommodation, including advocacy, counselling, and therapy in safe locations such as refuges or specialist safe accommodation, where victims and their children can go to get away from abusers.
Under the duty, which was a Conservative manifesto commitment at the last election, councils will be required to provide support to domestic abuse victims and their children within safe accommodation services, where needs have been identified.
It will come into force later this year with the passage of the Domestic Abuse Bill, with funding announced in advance so local authorities know how much they will receive for these vital services and can begin to plan.
This funding is part of a wider package of support for victims of rape and domestic abuse, with a £40 million funding boost for victim support services announced on February 1, building on the unprecedented £76 million pledged in May 2020 to ensure vital services including refuges, helplines and counselling remain accessible throughout the pandemic.
In January 2021, the Government also launched the ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword scheme, which provides victims of domestic abuse access to immediate help from the police or other support services from their local pharmacy. The Government is determined to support vulnerable people throughout the pandemic, and is working closely with councils, charities and other partners to ensure they get the support they need. Welcoming the initiative, Ms Griffiths said: “Domestic abuse is a devastating crime that ruins lives, which is why this Conservative Government’s commitment to empowering and protecting victims is so important.
“The funding announced today for Staffordshire will ensure that anyone who needs to access safe accommodation and the support
services they need to recover and rebuild their lives will be able to do so, and is part of a wider package of support we have put in place for victims of rape and domestic abuse.
“In taking another big step towards helping break the cycle of domestic abuse and protecting some of the most vulnerable in our society, we are transforming our response to victims and will help them move forward with their lives.”
Also commenting, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing Eddie Hughes said: “Domestic abuse is a heinous crime which threatens the lives of victims in their own homes where they should feel safe. So it’s right that we’re giving victims support in safe accommodation and providing councils with money to deliver essential services that will help them and their children rebuild their lives.
“This is part of a long-term strategy to provide broader support for domestic abuse victims both in safe accommodation like refuges and in their homes.”
The funding will ensure that anyone who needs access to safe accommodation will be able to do so. Kate Griffiths