New funds to tackle domestic abuse

Victims of domestic abuse in the North East are set to benefit from two new funds totalling £420,000.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness said the Drive Project will target the most high-risk, high harm and serial perpetrators and protect hundreds of associated victims, including children.

The scheme will offer intensive behaviour change support to 90 domestic abuse perpetrators across the region, with the aim of preventing future offending. This has been made possible thanks to funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, all six local authorities across the region and the Home Office.

In addition to the new programme, charities and supp o r t o rga n i s at io n s ac ro s s the North East are also set to share an extra £252,000 of emergency funding.

This grant is to help key organisations continue delivering support services to vulnerable victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence as the coronavirus pandemic restrictions continue.

Ms McGuinness, said: “We’ve been calling out for more money to help those su f fe r i n g f ro m abu s e fo r some time. The pandemic is far from over and we have to ensure that specialist support is able to continue and reach those who need it most, as well as preventing it from happening in the first place.

“The funding of these projects and services gives a significant boost to the region’s efforts in supporting everyone affected by the cycle of abuse and it’s great to be making this announcement during the international 16 days of action campaign around e l i m i n at i n g v i o l e n c e a n d abuse.”