Domestic abuse victims and their children across Chichester District will receive extra support to help them rebuild their lives in a safe environment, thanks to a £34,088 government grant.
The funding, from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, will be used by Chichester District Council to make sure safe accommodation spaces, such as refuges and shelters, can provide victims with vital support services.
Chichester District Council will be responsible for making decisions on how the funding is best spent to benefit those in need.
Specialist services will also be funded and made available so that anyone who flees their home gets the help they need.
Councillor Alan Sutton, Cabinet Member for Housing Communications, Licensing and Events, at Chichester District Council, says: “This funding will give victims of domestic abuse from the Chichester District, and their children, the practical and emotional support to recover and rebuild their lives from this terrible crime.
“Home is not the safe place it should be for domestic abuse victims and their families. The extra support will provide a vital lifeline for victims as they try and rebuild their lives positively while feeling protected.’
The grant is part of £125 million of funding being given to local authorities to provide vital support services for domestic abuse victims during 2022/23.
It follows the government’s landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which places a legal duty on councils to fund support in safe accommodation for all victims and their families. The £34,088 will help Chichester District Council pay for these vital services.
Two major government consultations are being launched to further support victims of domestic abuse. The first will consider removing Local Connection Tests for abuse victims, which can stop victims from applying for social housing if they do not have a connection to a local area.
This can often mean victims are forced to live in the same communities as their abuser and are denied a fresh start in a new town.
A second consultation will consider whether and how to change current rules that make it difficult for victims to remove their perpetrators from joint tenancies, which can mean victims either feel forced to stay in their home or are at risk of being made homeless by their abuser.
The government will call on people with experience of domestic abuse and those working in the sector to share their views.
For more information, visit www.chichester.gov.uk/communitysafety
