Local authorities are now able to bid for a share of a £20m fund dedicated to tackling domestic abuse, the communities secretary says.
The new fund is designed to increase refuge spaces and other accommodation for women fleeing domestic violence.
The funding is the first wave of the £40m dedicated to supporting victims of domestic abuse announced as part of last year’s Spending Review.
‘Domestic abuse knows no barriers. It can happen to anyone of us, at any time,’ said communities secretary Sajid Javid.
‘Our £20m fund is designed to increase refuge spaces and ensure that no victim is ever turned away from the essential support they need.’
The Government also announced yesterday the publication of its Priorities for Domestic Abuse Services, which sets out how councils should be responding to domestic abuse in a collaborative and effective way.
The document stresses the importance of putting the victim first and providing flexible services that meet their needs.
Collaborating with other councils to open up services to victims from outside the local area is also highlighted as a necessity.
Yesterday’s announcement is part of the Government’s £80m Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, which emphasises that prevention—and not simply response—should be the norm.
