As a champion for the victims of violent crime and abuse, it was pleasing to learn that a new £257 million fund to help over 70,000 victims of domestic abuse was announced by the government.
In truth, whilst there simply isn’t enough financial support available to adequately deliver the support frameworks that victims of domestic abuse so desperately need we do need to acknowledge what support is available and crucially, help direct those in need to those support channels.
Councils to be handed £257 million to provide support for victims of domestic abuse and their children who are staying in safe accommodation
It is vital to the success of this £257m support package that those in need can access the domestic abuse support on offer and it was encouraging to see that the Government has allocated the funding to be spent locally, rather than centrally.
Put simply, local councils, local charities and local support channels delivering domestic abuse support are more acutely aware of how best to spend the funding, being so much closer to those in need and are better able to meet the needs of victims who have had to flee their homes than central government ever could.
Funding to go towards vital services such as counselling, financial advice, help rehousing and therapy for children
As a provider of legal services to facilitate criminal injury compensation claims we are very much aware of the fact that there is more than one form of support needed for the victims of domestic abuse and that the needs for children affected by domestic abuse are distinct in their own right.
So with this in mind, singling out more tailored and specific support for child victims of domestic violence as part of this domestic abuse funding is very much welcomed.
When we have achieved the best compensation settlement for our clients we are often aware that more specific support is required for the victim to be able to move forward and that financial advice is another factor in the domestic abuse funding package is another win for victims of domestic abuse with complex needs.
The £257 million funding, allocated over 2 years is to be handed over to councils across England as a flexible grant, to make sure safe accommodation spaces such as refuges and shelters can provide vital support. It is expected to reach some 70,000 domestic abuse victims.
Domestic abuse is the most prevalent form of violence against women and girls and the 2019 to 2020 crime survey had estimated that some 2.3 million people have experienced domestic abuse in the previous year, with women far more likely to be impacted as a result.
If you have been the victim of domestic violence and abuse and would like to consider your options in making a domestic violence compensation claim, please feel free to get in touch.
