Safe spaces and helplines for victims of domestic abuse

DOMESTIC abuse charities are to share in a £76million government handout to help provide safe spaces and helplines to enable victims to escape the “nightmare” of violence at home during the lockdown, the Justice Secretary has announced.

Robert Buckland said £28million of the money would go to provide accommodation, safe spaces and new online services to cope with the 30 per cent rise in reports of domestic abuse to charities since the outbreak began.

A further £10million will go to charities safeguarding people subjected to sexual violence, while £38million has been earmarked for vulnerable children and modern slavery victims, which will include those exploited by so-called county lines gangs.

In an article for telegraph.co.uk, Mr Buckland said: “There are hidden thousands for whom the current lockdown has been nothing short of an inescapable nightmare. It has turned a daily risk into a constant threat. I am, of course, talking about the victims of domestic abuse.

“Faced with the prospect of day after day, trapped 24/7 with their abuser, one can scarcely imagine their sense of isolation and helplessness. And all this at a time when vital services which can provide a lifeline from this misery face huge challenges in the face of the current pandemic.

“It is not enough to wait for this unprecedented situation to pass and then pick up the pieces. We must act now.”

There are concerns the apparent low numbers reporting violence to police masks a “tsunami” of victims unable to break free from their abusers at home.

‘Trapped 24/7 with their abuser, one can scarcely imagine their sense of isolation and helplessness’

Boots has opened up its consultation rooms as “safe spaces” for domestic abuse victims to use to call for help but charities want to expand the scheme.

The extra cash could include funding for hotel rooms, which are being offered by chains such as Marriott.

Mr Jenrick also announced that Louise Casey, a former head of the homeless charity Shelter and anti-social behaviour tsar, will head a drive to prevent the 5,400 rough sleepers taken off the streets from returning to them.

The £76million is part of a £750million package for charities announced by Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor.