Extra support will be given to the Isle of Wight Council to help them to prepare for the introduction of landmark legislation that will ensure domestic abuse victims and their families get the vital help they need.
Thousands of people are expected to be helped from April 2021 when the new law comes into force placing a duty on councils to support victims of domestic abuse.
Once the duty comes into forces, the new £6million funding announced will mean that councils in England can commission additional vital support for those victims of domestic abuse and their children who might currently be turned away from refuges and other safe accommodation because their needs cannot be met.
The Domestic Abuse Bill, currently before Parliament, includes a new duty for councils to assess and provide support and safe accommodation to victims and their children in England.
This new funding will mean councils can plan accommodation and specialist services ahead of the Act coming into force and ensure that in all areas across the country services are joined up. Councils can prepare by linking in with other agencies such as police or health commissioners and ensure their staff receive training in the new duty.
Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing Kelly Tolhurst MP said:
“Survivors of domestic abuse need safe refuge in order to escape this heinous crime, and support to start to rebuild their lives.
“Councils already provide much needed support, but the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill will mean for the first time councils will have a duty to provide support in safe accommodation for anyone fleeing abuse.
Article continues below this advertisement “The funding I am announcing today will help councils prepare for this new duty that will see thousands more survivors helped and a generation of their children able to grow up safely and free from fear of abuse.
“We have committed to supporting all domestic abuse survivors. That’s why since 2014 we’ve invested £80 million in safe accommodation services to support victims of domestic abuse.”
Councils need to be ready for this new duty and the Government is consulting with them on the best way to allocate funding from April 2021 to ensure they are able to meet their new obligation.
typical… i see they are showing the stereotypical image of a poor defenceless woman with a mans clenched fist –
why are they insisting on portraying women as a weak and vulnerable gender – there are plenty of violent women and domestic abuse against males is a reality.
where is the equality in the image.
If you properly read this article you would notice it was non gender specific. Both male and female victims of domestic abuse may need a safe place to flee to with their children. Admittedly statistically it is more women than men but it is now recognised that there are male victims too. Don’t be so blinkered. It sounds like you are an aggrieved male. There is support for both male and female victims of domestic abuse. Don’t genderise it, it’s wrong whatever. Any funding given to help, as they say this heinous crime, should be welcomed