£2m cash boost revealed to help survivors leave their partners in abusive relationships
A HUGE £2m cash boost has been revealed to help survivors leave abusive relationships.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed the major cash injection to help tackle domestic abuse at today’s Autumn Statement – in a victory for The Sun.
So far the funding has helped 626 survivors who used the emergency cash to buy food, nappies or even put it towards rent as they looked for a new place to live.
They have previously been able to apply for up to £500 in cash or voucher payments which are administered through the Women’s Aid charity.
Ministers are currently finalising plans on how to administer the new funding through specialist domestic abuse services.
The fund was first set up in March this year following our Give Me Shelter campaign.
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Spice Girl Mel B has claimed the cash can be a “difference between life and death”.
The Sun has campaigned for 20 years on behalf of domestic abuse survivors from campaigns such as Save Our Shelters and Give Us Shelter.
Thousands of people across England and Wales are set to benefit.
He is also expected to announce £10 million of new funding to help improve support for survivors in the workplace.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
The money will be given to charitable organisations who work with employers to raise awareness of the issues. Staff are also trained on how to identify any incidents concerning colleagues.
Figures show that 2.4 million adults over the age of 16 are understood to experience some kind of domestic abuse each year.
Surveys show between 36 per cent and 75 per cent of survivors are harassed while at work.
A new interactive tool is also expected to be launched by the end of the year on HMRC spotting those suffering from domestic economic abuse.
A Treasury source said: “No one should suffer at the hands of their partner, and it’s only right we make sure there is support out there to help survivors through such a difficult time.”
Kate Osiadacz, Head of Responsible Business, TSB, said: “Having
offered our Emergency Flee Fund to TSB customers for almost a year, we know first-hand the important role these funds play in helping victims of domestic abuse escape a dangerous situation.
“So today’s announcement from the government is hugely welcome, and will ensure even more victims can access money when they need it the most.”