You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
The government has announced an extra £16.6m to help councils support people who have experienced domestic abuse.
Seventy-five projects across England will share in the pot, which ministers say will help “up to” 43,000 survivors of domestic abuse.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said the money will “help local areas better protect victims and their children and provide essential life-saving services, delivering the urgent support that they need to rebuild their lives”.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the cash will ensure that victims are able to “access safe permanent rehousing where needed”.
Last year, the government also announced plans to make it a legal duty for councils to provide support to victims, which it said will end the “postcode lottery” of services.
Ministers have also vowed to reintroduce the long-delayed Domestic Abuse Bill into the House of Commons. The bill, introduced by former prime minister Theresa May around a year ago, means councils will have a legal duty to offer secure accommodation for those fleeing violence.
It will also introduce a definition of domestic abuse to include “emotional” and “economic” abuse, recognising that controlling a partner’s money can equate to manipulative behaviour.
The legislation also introduces a new protection order to make perpetrators attend rehabilitation programmes, if substance abuse is a factor in their crimes. A new domestic abuse commissioner will also be established.
Charity Solace Women’s Aid last year called for 5% of all new social homes built in London each year to be allocated for women and children made homeless as a result of abuse.
Simon Blackburn, chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, welcomed the announcement.
“Tackling domestic abuse is an issue that councils take extremely seriously and they need the co-operation of other public services to tackle this appalling crime,” he said.