£13 million to help councils support domestic abuse victims

Ministers say the cash will fund a new duty on councils to ensure victims and their children are able to access life-saving support in safe accommodation – a key part of the Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill.

It will fund support including therapy, advocacy and counselling, and comes after an extra £40m was committed nationally to victim support services.

Domestic abuse cases have rocketed to record high levels in the region during the Covid pandemic, with West Midlands Police dealing with 4,000 reports in just one month at the start of the lockdown.

Nationally, a total of £125m has been allocated to councils. Staffordshire Council has received £1.55m, Sandwell Council got £842,000, Walsall Council received £690,150, and £664,000 was given to Dudley Council.

Wolverhampton Council's share was £651,000.

Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes, the Minister for Housing and Rough Sleeping, 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 West Midlands 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 own homes.”

'Crucial'

Wolverhampton South West MP Stuart Anderson, who has campaigned for greater protection for victims of domestic abuse, said: "I am pleased that the Government has listened to my request and that it has invested £650,000 in Wolverhampton Council to offer safe accommodation to domestic abuse victims.

"I will continue to work hard with our local partners on this important issue.”

Jane Stevenson, the MP for Wolverhampton North East, said: "I am delighted to see this issue being taken seriously, and I have been engaging with local domestic abuse charities such as The Haven to ensure they have the funding they need."

Safeguarding Minister Victoria Atkins said the funding was a "crucial step" in helping domestic abuse survivors to recover and rebuild their lives.

Last month the ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword scheme was launched, providing victims of domestic abuse access to immediate help from the police or other support services from their local pharmacy.

The scheme is available in all Boots stores and around 300 independent pharmacies.

The Domestic Abuse Bill had its second reading last month and will return to Parliament later this year.