£20m funding boost to support domestic abuse victims

The government is to invest nearly £20m in support services for abuse victims.

Nearly a third of this amount (£6m) will go towards helplines supporting victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, ‘honour’-based abuse and stalking.

This is an increase of around a fifth compared to last year.

The Home Office believes this investment in helplines could be “potentially lifesaving” for abuse survivors.

“Victims can find these experiences incredibly hard to talk about,” it said.

“Contacting helplines for advice is often the first critical step in their journey to escape abuse, access vital support and eventually seek justice.”

Investment in support services for children confirmed

More than £5m of this money will be put towards services supporting children affected by domestic abuse, who the Home Office says are “often the hidden victims of this devastating crime”.

This will include one-to-one and group counselling, help in the classroom and support for their non-abusive parents.

Meanwhile, £2m will be used to give victims direct access to financial support to escape abusive relationships.

Through the Women’s Aid Flexible Fund, organisations will give payments of up to £500 to help victims cover urgent costs for their safety, and up to £2,500 to help them pay for rental accommodation.

“No victim should ever feel abandoned when trying to escape abuse,” said safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.

“But the harsh reality is that too many do - especially those from marginalised communities who face significant additional hurdles.

“I hope this funding will change that.”

Ms Phillips added that every single person facing abuse should have somewhere to turn when they make “the brave decision to seek help”.

Person at risk of violence order fee must be scrapped

The government has made tackling violence against women and girls a priority, so this new investment is undoubtedly welcome.

But we would like to see ministers go even further.

At the moment, domestic abuse survivors applying for certain debt solutions must pay £308 for a person at risk of violence (PARV) order.

This prevents their address from being added to a public register and can stop abusive ex-partners from tracking them down.

We’re actively pushing for the PARV order fee to be scrapped, as this would make it easier for domestic abuse survivors to more easily access the debt relief they desperately need.

We believe this would also give more survivors the confidence to leave their homes and return to employment without fear of being found by an abusive ex, as well as improve their mental health and quality of life.