New government funds to help victims of domestic abuse in Kirklees

Huddersfield Times 13 February 202130 August 2021

Kirklees Council is to receive £918,922 from the government to fund a new duty which will provide support to domestic abuse victims and their children. The extra funding will allow the victims and their children to access life-saving support in safe accommodation such as counselling, therapy and advocacy as well as allowing them to get away from their abusers.

Across England, councils will receive more than £125million to fund the new duty which was part of the Conservative manifesto commitment at the last election. The funding is part of a wider package of support for victims of rape and domestic abuse, with a £40million funding boost for victim support services announced on 1 February 2021, building on the unprecedented £76 million pledged in May 2020 to ensure vital services including refuges, helplines and counselling remain accessible throughout the pandemic.

Speaking about the funding, Dewsbury MP Mark Eastwood, Cons said Commenting, Mark Eastwood MP said: “Domestic abuse is a devastating crime that ruins lives, which is why this Conservative Government’s commitment to empowering and protecting victims is so important.”