The Westminster government is giving almost £18m to help survivors of domestic abuse or rape in expectation support services will face greater demand in the coming months.
The sum of £10.1m is going to support centres and Police and Crime Commissioners to fund services supporting victims across England and Wales.
There will be a separate £7.17m specifically for a range of “innovative programmes” aimed at perpetrators to last beyond the coronavirus pandemic to help them change their behaviours and prevent the “destructive crimes” from happening in the first place, the ministry of justice and home office said in a joint statement.
And £683,000 will go directly to up to 34 domestic abuse organisations who support victims through front line, virtual and other services.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “It is … vital that we tackle the root causes of violent behaviour which is why we are funding perpetrator prevention programmes to identify serial offenders, and work with them to change their behaviour.”
Housing minister Kelly Tolhurst added: “Our emergency funding is creating extra bed spaces over winter, to help support victims escape and rebuild their lives, free from abuse.”
