Extra support for councils to expand services for domestic abuse victims and their children

Extra support for councils 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 was announced earlier this month by Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing Kelly Tolhurst MP.

Thousands more 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, a devastating crime which creates long term impacts on victims, their children, and wider society

Once the duty comes into forces, the new £6m 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. 

"The funding I am announcing 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.”

In April, the Home Secretary announced £2m to ensure helplines and online services continue to be easily accessible to victims, during the coronavirus pandemic. This follows the appointment in September 2019 of an independent Domestic Abuse Commissioner to lead on driving improvements in the response to domestic abuse in the UK, putting victims at the heart of the response.

The funding is part of a raft of measures designed to help support councils meet their new obligations. To further help councils prepare, the government has published guidance on the fund’s purpose and is providing councils with further information and support.

In addition, a consultation has been launched on how the new burdens funding associated with the new duty should be allocated in order to enable councils to meet their new duty.

Government is consulting with councils, including Rochdale, on the best way to allocate funding from April 2021 to ensure they are able to meet their new obligation.

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Help and support

Domestic violence or abuse is defined as controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence. Domestic violence can happen against anyone, and anybody can be an abuser.

You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help.

If you're a victim of domestic abuse, there's a range of support available to help you.

The freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Contact the police:

• In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for help.
• When you can't talk, dial 999 then press 55 when prompted. This is called the Silent Solution system.
• For non-emergency police assistance, dial 101 for the Greater Manchester Police Switchboard (24-hour service).

Rochdale Connections Trust - support for female victims, children and male perpetrators. Office is currently closed but key workers are offering support over the phone during normal office hours. This includes safety planning, male awareness and time out strategies. Call 07946 651643.

Rochdale Victim Support - one-to-one support for male and female victims and survivors of domestic abuse living within Rochdale borough. They can also help you in attending court. Currently offering telephone and email support, including safety planning on the following contact details: 0161 507 9609 and rochdale@victimsupport.org.uk.

WHAG - WHAG provides support for women who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness, and men, women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. Tel: 01706 298 222 or email: whag@whag.info