The Office of Police and Crime Commissioner, Northamptonshire County Council and partners are delighted to announce that they have successfully acquired over half a million pounds of funding from central government to support victims of domestic abuse in the county.

Announced on the European Day for Victims of Crime and at the same time as #MyVoice Week – which aims to raise awareness of the free, confidential advice available to victims and witness of crime in Northamptonshire – the award of £590,312 provides Northamptonshire with a major boost that will significantly increase the amount of support available to those escaping violence in the home.

It is estimated that the grant will help to directly support over 850 victims of crime during the next two years – while proving advice for an extra 1,000 vulnerable people – through the recruitment of extra staff to provide much-needed refuges for those escaping abuse in Northamptonshire.

Support services

The additional funding will help to create:

• A new, bespoke male refuge to support 68 male victims of domestic abuse
• 15 extra safe places of accommodation to support approximately 60 women and their children
• support for 132 people with complex needs, including residential and community placements
• additional security measures in 300 properties across the county
• assistance to an extra 300 women and children who are in need of help and support
• advice for 1,000 vulnerable people in the county.

The bid was put together by the PCC and NCC in conjunction with Eve, Northampton Women’s Aid, Northamptonshire Sunflower Centre, Borough Council of Wellingborough, Corby Borough Council, Daventry District Council, East Northamptonshire Council, Kettering Borough Council, Northampton Borough Council,
South Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire Police.

Police and Commissioner for Northamptonshire, Stephen Mold, said: “This is fantastic news for the county and I’d like to thank the passionate team of people who personally worked on the bid to secure funding that will genuinely change the lives of people in the Northamptonshire.

“Protecting people from harm is one of the main themes of my Police and Crime Plan and I am determined to help the most vulnerable people in the county. This grant will help us do exactly that.

“While we celebrate this award we also know that there are thousands of people in the county who are in need of help
and support following crime but do not access support services. On a week where we are raising awareness of Voice, our support service for victims and witness of crime, through #MyVoice Week, I would encourage anyone who has been affected by crime of any nature to come forward.”

Protecting the vulnerable

Cllr Heather Smith, Leader of Northamptonshire County Council, added: “I’m delighted that our partnership bid for funding has been successful. One of the key functions of the county council
is to protect and support the most vulnerable members of our community and this grant will enable us to do just that.

“We know there is a real need for appropriate support for families in Northamptonshire to reduce incidents of domestic abuse and tackle its impact on children and young people in the household, and so I look forward to working with the Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner and our other partners to implement these new support services.”