Teesside charity welcomes funding to help domestic abuse victims start new lives
New funding is availalbe to help survivors flee their abusive relationships
A charity in Teesside is welcoming new funding to help victims of domestic abuse flee their abusive relationships.
Hundreds will receive up to £2,500, which can be used for things like rent or household essentials to help them start new lives.
Richinda Taylor, Chief Executive of EVA Women's Aid, which supports survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence in Redcar and Cleveland, said: "There was never going to be enough of this kind of funding available so whilst we welcome any additional funding, the need for funding doesn't just end there. Women need the support once they leave that abusive relationship to cope and recover from the trauma they've experienced, but also as they move into independent living.
"One of the most difficult times can be for a woman who's leaving that abusive relationship, so an additional amount of funding to help her make that move is great because we often work with women who have no funding of their own, they have no money, no income and they often don't have a bank account of their own, so they're literally starting with nothing.
"We need long term sustainable funding and whilst this pot of money is going to be really helpful for some women, we know it's going to be a very competitive process because there's just not enough to go around, and whilst that sounds like a sizeable chunk it actually isn't going to go very far."
The 'Flee Fund'
From 31st January, victims of domestic abuse who do not have the financial means to leave their abusers will be able to apply for a one-off payment of up to £500 via one of over 470 support services, for essential items such as groceries, nappies or support with new accommodation to help them and their children flee to safety.
For the first time, victims can also apply for a further one-off payment of up to £2,500 to help secure a sustainable independent future, such as putting down a deposit for rental accommodation. This will help them move forward with their lives and prevent homelessness or pressure to return to abusers because of financial strain.
The fund will be delivered via referrals from a network of local frontline services in England and Wales including organisations, helplines and caseworkers who have a specialist understanding of domestic abuse.
The fund, which will initially last until March 2025, builds on a successful pilot funded by the Home Office and delivered with Women’s Aid last year which, helped over 600 victims to safety. Women’s Aid have been re-appointed to deliver this additional funding alongside hundreds of domestic abuse services across England and Wales.
Home Secretary, James Cleverly said: "Tackling violence and abuse against women and girls is a priority of mine. We know that victims of domestic abuse are often forced to flee with very little. These payments cover essentials like food, clothing and nappies, and will also help them keep a roof over their heads. After the successful trial of this lifeline scheme with Women’s Aid last year, I am proud to continue helping victims to escape abuse, find safety and rebuild their lives."
The pilot
During the pilot of the fund 83.4 percent of those applying said that the payments would be used to flee an abuser. Some reported the payments were to help prevent them from returning to abusive relationships due to financial struggles. With most survivors fleeing with little or no belongings, 77.6 percent said the money helped them to purchase essential goods such as fresh food for their children. Mental health and peace of mind was also improved, with the payments enabling them to purchase security measures such as CCTV and doorbell cameras.
This trial followed Women’s Aid research which found that almost three-quarters of women living with their abuser found it harder to leave as a result of the associated further cost of living.
Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, said: "At Women’s Aid we warmly welcome the funding which will be made available to all survivors of domestic abuse through our, and our partners’, work with the Home Office. Domestic abuse affects a huge number of people, many of whom face additional challenges when it comes to receiving the life-changing support that they need.
"This year, we are delighted to be working with specialist services to ensure all survivors, including those from minoritised groups, receive the help they so desperately need. When we worked on the pilot of the fund in May last year, we saw immediately the impact this was having on survivors – over 75% of applicants used their grant to replace or purchase essential goods for themselves or their children, after they had fled their abuser with nothing to their name.
"This year’s funding will make life-changing improvements to the lives of countless adult and child survivors, allowing them to take those first steps towards a life free of abuse. We are immensely proud to be a part of this, especially during our 50th year, and believe that by allowing more survivors to escape their abusers, we are taking steps in the right direction to building a society in which domestic abuse is no longer tolerated."
Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, said: "I am delighted that the government is launching a Flexible Fund for 2024 following the success of last year’s scheme. This fund provides one-off urgent payments to victims of domestic abuse, many of whom report leaving their abuser with little or no belongings. It will be a lifeline for many, helping victims to flee abuse and rebuild their lives. I hope to see this critical funding reach as many victims and survivors as possible, including those who face the most significant barriers to support."