· Sutton to receive £34,058 to help fund a new duty to ensure victims and their children are able to access life-saving support in safe accommodation.
· A total of £125 million has been allocated to councils across England to support domestic abuse victims and their children.
· This new funding is part of the Conservative Government’s landmark Domestic Abuse Bill and package of comprehensive support for victims.
Domestic abuse victims and their children living in Sutton will be able to receive more support thanks to extra Government funding. The extra money will help victims and their children access life-saving support in safe accommodation, including advocacy, counselling, and therapy in safe locations such as refuges or specialist safe accommodation, where victims and their children can go to get away from their abusers.
In total, councils across England will receive £125 million and Sutton will receive £34,058. Under a new duty, which was a key Conservative manifesto commitment at the last election, councils will be required to provide support to domestic abuse victims and their children within safe accommodation services, where needs have been identified. It will come into force later this year with the passage of the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, with funding announced in advance so local authorities know how much they will receive for these vital services and can begin to plan.
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 announced on 1 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.
The Government is determined to support vulnerable people throughout the pandemic, and is working closely with councils, charities and other partners to ensure they get the support they need.
Commenting, Paul Scully MP said:
“Domestic abuse is a devastating crime that ruins lives, which is why this Conservative Government’s commitment to empowering and protecting victims is so important.
“The £34,058 announced today for Sutton will ensure that anyone who needs to access safe accommodation and the support services they need to recover and rebuild their lives will be able to do so, and is part of a wider package of support we have put in place for victims of rape and domestic abuse.
“I know there are charities in Sutton such as the Sutton Women’s Centre who will be very grateful for this assistance so this is really welcome news for our area.
“In taking another big step towards helping break the cycle of domestic abuse and protecting some of the most vulnerable in our society, we are transforming our response to victims and will help them move forward with their lives.”
Also commenting, Elliot Colburn MP said:
“I am really pleased to see this additional funding commitment from the Government to help support the victims of domestic abuse, and their children.
“Domestic abuse and sexual violence is abhorrent, and I have been working with several local agencies to explore what support is available in our area, and how we can support victims to flee those perpetrating it.
“Speaking recently with Cats Protection and the Dogs Trust, some people are unable to escape because of concerns around beloved family pets if they do leave, particularly given that animal abuse and domestic abuse can go hand-in-hand. Cats Protection has a Paws Protect initiative and the Dogs Trust has their Freedom Project, both of which are pet fostering services for people fleeing abuse and going into refuge where pets may not be allowed.
“I would also highlight the important work of The Drive Project, whom I met with earlier this month, which works to end domestic abuse and protect victims by disrupting, challenging, and changing the behaviour of high-harm, high-risk, and serial perpetrators.”
To find out more about the work carried out by the Sutton Women's Centre and the Drive Project, or to seek support, visit:
Suttonwomenscentre – Empowering women to reach their full potential
Drive Project
