The government have said they are committing £20m to support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence through a series measures announced this week.
£6m will go to fund helplines across 8 charities, including: Refuge who run the National Domestic Abuse helpline; Hourglass, a charity supporting older victims; SignHealth who support victims who are Deaf; Galop; The Suzy Lamplugh Trust; Karma Nirvana; and Respect. The government add the funding is a 20% increase on previous years.
£5.3m has been earmarked for eight services nationwide who support children affected by domestic abuse through one-to-one and group counselling, classroom-based assistance and help for their non-abusive parents. Charity Southall Black Sisters will receive £2.4 million to support migrant victims of abuse who are not able to access public funds.
The Women’s Aid Flexible Fund will receive £2m to fund payments of up to £500 to help victims, along with up to £2,500 for rental accommodation deposits. A further £2.5m will fund projects to help prevent and improve the response to violence and abuse against women and girls, raise awareness of these issues and protect victims who are at risk.
As part of its Plan for Change the government have committed to halving violence against women and girls in the next 10 years. Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips said:
“No victim should ever feel abandoned when trying to escape abuse. But the harsh reality is that too many do – especially those from marginalised communities who face significant additional hurdles. Last week, I met survivors who felt the system wasn’t built for people like them. I hope this funding will change that. It’s about smashing down barriers and making sure every single person facing abuse has somewhere to turn when they make the brave decision to seek help.”
Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, added:
“Whether fearing for their lives or growing up in a home filled with stress and anxiety, victims should feel confident that support will be there to help them recover, but sadly too often this isn’t the case. This funding for struggling specialist domestic abuse services, especially those supporting children, will bring much needed relief to survivors and services, who have been doing all they can to ensure help is there for people during one of their most vulnerable moments in life.”
“Tackling domestic abuse requires drive, ambition and political will. I look forward to seeing how the government’s forthcoming violence against women and girls’ strategy builds on this investment by ensuring every victim and survivor gets what they need – exactly when they need it – so they can recover from abuse.”
