23,206 people supported in 5 years by £16m scheme to stop domestic abuse

Numbers helped rises by 95% since 2016

MORE than £16 million has been invested across Staffordshire to address domestic abuse.

The money has been invested into services between October 2018 and September 2023, under a partnership led by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office in conjunction with Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-trent City Council.

The New Era service offered free, confidential support to all those affected by domestic abuse.

This includes adult and child victims, perpetrators and their families, as well as businesses, communities and professionals.

News of the funding has emerged after our sister paper The Sentinel reported on the case of domestic abuse survivor Lauren Kilgariff, from Stoke-on-trent, who warned other women that aggressive men ‘will never change.’

Self-confessed ‘monster’ Shaun

Kilgariff was spared jail this week after admitting headbutting his wife and leaving her permanently scarred.

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, Ben Adams said: “Demand for these critical services continues to increase year on year, both in Staffordshire and nationally.

“It is vital that all victims of domestic abuse and their families are able to access the effective, targeted support they need when they need it, to help them recover from the impact of these crimes.”

The New Era victim service – provided by Victim Support –offered practical and emotional support, while the New Era perpetrator service – provided by the National Probation Service – supported anyone wanting to change their abusive behaviour.

New Era uses early intervention strategies as well as targeted support in a bid to end relationship abuse.

Over the five-year period (October 1 2018 to September 30 2023):

The victim service supported 23,206 people, including 19,424 adults and 3,782 children. In 2018, 3,136 people were supported, compared to 6,016 in 2023 – an increase of 95%;

The perpetrator service supported 590 people to change their abusive behaviours through voluntary programmes and out-of-court disposals;

More than 400 workplace champions were trained to recognise the signs of DA and signpost people to support;

Almost 160 companies made a commitment to support all those affected by DA in their workplace, with 133 adopting a DA Pledge and 139 having a DA Policy.

Melina Hancox, area manager at New Era, said: “We’re extremely proud of this service – over the last five years we have expanded to reach more victim-survivors of domestic abuse and offer specialist support to children and young people, older people, men, those with disabilities and those from LGBTQ+ and Black, Asian minority communities.

“For anyone experiencing abuse, please don’t suffer in silence – search for ‘New Era’ for information about how to get in touch.”

County council cabinet member Victoria Wilson said: “We remain committed to supporting victims and their families as well as holding perpetrators to account and, through this work, we can help reduce the number of incidents of this wicked crime.”

New Era is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. New Era victim services is available by calling 0300 303 3778, or through the website and Live Chat at new-era.uk.

The confidential helpline for perpetrators is 0300 373 5772 during normal office hours.

Demand for these critical services continues to increase year on year Ben Adams