Major Investment To Help Domestic Abuse Victims

More than £1.1m is being invested in providing safe accommodation and support for victims of domestic abuse and their children across Leicestershire. 

The county council has been allocated cash from a government funding pot, so it can carry out a new duty placed on local authorities as part of the landmark Domestic Abuse Act, which aims to strengthen the support offered to victims.

The county’s seven district councils were also granted nearly £230,000 in total.

Plans for additional support in Leicestershire include more accommodation for families in need, specialist mental health support workers for children and a substance misuse worker to support families who need it.

Councillor Deborah Taylor, Leicestershire County Council lead member for children and families, said: “It’s vital we do what we can to support and protect victims of domestic abuse and their families and we welcome this funding, which will go a long way to help them recover and rebuild their lives.

“We’d really appreciate your feedback if you have used our domestic abuse support services before. You can talk to us in confidence and help provide some valuable insight to help us focus our resources and make improvements if needed.”

If you live in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland and have experienced domestic violence or sexual abuse, you can contact the UAVA helpline on  0808 80 200 28  or by emailing  info@uava.org.uk

If you’ve have used domestic abuse support services in Leicestershire and would like to help shape the new services, you can share your experiences in confidence. Let the council know you’re interested by emailing CommunitySafetyTeam@leics.gov.uk