The Westminster government has allocated £257m for English councils spread over the next two years to ensure refuges and other safe accommodation can provide vital support to domestic abuse survivors.
The help will include counselling, assistance with rehousing, financial advice and play therapy for children impacted by domestic abuse.
The funding follows the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which places a legal duty on councils to fund support in safe accommodation for all victims and their families.
Though welcoming the allocation, senior officials at Women’s Aid and Refuge said the amount is well short of what is required. “It is vital that funding matches need,” said Refuge’s CEO Ruth Davison.
