Funding boosts support for families in Sussex bereaved by domestic abuse
Six families are already being helped by the £25,000 grant
Families in Sussex who have lost a loved one after domestic abuse will get better support, as a specialised service receives a funding boost.
A £25,000 grant has been put together by local councils and the Police and Crime Commissioner to help further the support provided by Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse.
It'll go towards providing specialist peer sessions, practical and emotional support for those who's loved one has been killed, taken their own life or had an unexplained death after being abused.
The funding will ensure children receive specialised, age-appropriate support, as well as helping guide agencies on how to better respond to domestic abuse cases.
Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne told Greatest Hits Radio:
"This group is underrepresented because behind every victim there's a grieving family, there's loved ones, there's friends and and often children as well, if it's if it's their mother.
"And coming to terms with that is not something that's going to happen overnight and and and can take a lifetime.
"Having that really dedicated support there that they can access and depending on what they need is, for me, really important."
Founder and Chief Executive Office of AAFDA, Frank Mullane said: "Behind every statistic is a grieving family, trying to navigate unimaginable loss.
"AAFDA is currently working with six families across Sussex, providing specialist advocacy and support to help them navigate complex systems, access justice, and begin to rebuild their lives.
"We are grateful to Katy Bourne and to the local authorities for this grant which will help us to be there for local families, and we encourage anyone affected by fatal domestic abuse to reach out to us directly or via statutory agencies.
"No one should have to face this trauma on their own."