Hampshire County Council are set to receive £2,300,222 to help house and support domestic abuse victims and their families.
This funding is coming from a £125 million cash boost to councils across the country. It is part of the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill which is being supported by Gosport MP, Caroline Dinenage, as it passes through Parliament.
Caroline commented:
“It has been worrying to see increasing reports of domestic abuse during lockdown, and we need to ensure that those who need it are able to access support and a safe space.
“I am pleased to see that Hampshire have received over £2.3 million to house some of our most vulnerable residents and their families.”
Under a new duty, councils will be required to provide support to domestic abuse victims and their children within safe accommodation services.
This funding is part of a wider package of support for victims of rape and domestic abuse, with a £40 million funding boost for victim support services announcedon1 February 2021, building on the unprecedented £76 million pledged in May 2020 to ensure vital services including refuges, helplines and counselling remain accessible throughout the pandemic.
In January 2021, the Conservative Government also launched the ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword scheme, which provides victims of domestic abuse access to immediate help from the police or other support services from their local pharmacy. Caroline has promoted the scheme on her social media and asked local pharmacies to sign up to provide assistance for those in the Gosport Constituency.
Also commenting, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing Eddie Hughes said:
“Domestic abuse is a heinous crime which threatens the lives of victims in their own homes where they should feel safe. So it’s right that we’re giving victims support in safe accommodation and providing councils with money to deliver essential services that will help them and their children rebuild their lives.
“This is part of a long-term strategy to provide broader support for domestic abuse victims both in safe accommodation like refuges and in their homes.”