New £2m funding for victims of domestic abuse
From 31st of January 2024 more than 470 support services, such as Women’s Aid and other domestic abuse services, will be offering domestic abuse victims (who do not have the financial means to leave their situation) government funding to aid their pathway to freedom. This £2 million pot of funding is currently in place until March 2025.
The funding for domestic abuse services was piloted by the Home Office and delivered by Women’s Aid throughout a short period in 2023 and assisted more than 600 victims to safety. During the pilot, 83.4% of those applying said that the payments would be used to flee and prevent them from returning. Those who did flee did so with little or no belongings. 77.6% said the money helped them to purchase essentials such as fresh food for themselves and their children. The fund will be delivered via referrals from selective organisations, helplines and caseworkers in England and Wales who have a specialist understanding of domestic abuse.
Victims will be able to apply for a one-off payment of up to £500 for essential items to help support them and their children and get them to safety. They can also apply for a further one-off payment of up to £2,500 to assist in their pathway to an independent future and move forward with their life and “stay fled”. This can be used for a deposit for a rental accommodation to prevent homelessness and assist in minimising the financial strain to deter them from returning to domestic abuse. Funds were also spent to purchase security measures such as CCTV to increase their quality of life and security.
The Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, Laura Farris states that the most common reason victims return or stay in dangerous and harmful situations is the lack of money and confidence.
Overall, the funding for domestic abuse victims aims to provide protection and financial independence to flee abuse. 98% of those who accessed the funds throughout the pilot in 2018 stated that they would use the fund again if there was an opportunity to do so.
The evaluation of both the new funding scheme and legal aid’s access to funding highlights the importance of providing support to victims of domestic abuse and the positive impact on their well-being and quality of life for themselves and their children.
At GA Solicitors in Plymouth, the specialist family law team is committed to supporting all individuals who have been victims of domestic abuse and providing them with advice and support. We welcome this new and important funding and recognise it will be a great help to victims of domestic abuse.
As a firm, GA Solicitors has close links with various service providers who provide advice to those who have been victims of domestic abuse, particularly Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service (PDAS) and Trevi.
You can read more about our work with domestic abuse victims here.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse and need legal advice, then be assured GA Solicitors in Plymouth will support you at every step. You can speak to our experienced team by calling 0175 203500 or emailing enquiries@GAsolicitors.com. You can also email me directly via lauren.walker@GAsolicitors.com.
All content on this website (inclusive of guides, blogs and imagery) is strictly copyrighted by Gill Akaster LLP, trading as GA Solicitors. It is not to be used by any third party without prior contact and permission. Any requests for content should be sent to katy.mckenna@GAsolicitors.com.