A multi-agency funding bid submitted by Knowsley Council has secured just over £300,000 of funding to support victims of domestic abuse.

The funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government was submitted on behalf of Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral Councils and their respective Community Safety Partnerships to support victims of domestic abuse in a number of ways.

Firstly it will help to support victims of domestic abuse by providing them with accommodation, suitable to individual needs, across the four local authority areas.

In addition, an enhanced and extended therapeutic support offer will be provided to children who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

The funding will also support an extended sanctuary offer, enabling more victims of domestic abuse to remain in their own homes safely, through the installation of appropriate safety measures such as locks and external lighting, whilst also extending the use of the IT system across Merseyside to co-ordinate allocation and record demand for specialist accommodation.

The total funding secured is £301,160 and this will support 37 units available for supported, dispersed accommodation, 180 children will benefit from therapeutic support and a minimum of 150 households will benefit from the sanctuary fund.



Cllr Eddie Connor, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said “We know that domestic abuse happens, and can have a profound effect on victims as well as children who may witness incidents. That’s why we have teamed up with our neighbouring authorities to tackle the issue over a wider geographical area to provide support and solutions that will have a real impact on those who are suffering from it. This funding will help us to offer targeted support to victims, helping them to rebuild their lives.”

Cllr Emily Spurrell, Mayoral Lead for Community Safety, Liverpool City Council, said “We are particularly delighted that this funding will not only increase the number of units of accommodation across the region but allow us to adopt a housing led approach whilst meeting the needs of groups that we have previously struggled to help. We will also, for the first time, be able to provide therapeutic support to children affected by domestic abuse”.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member Communities and Housing, added: “Any funding to help tackle domestic abuse is welcomed. Domestic abuse is never acceptable and should not be a hidden issue in our communities. We need to create an environment where domestic abuse is understood better and accepted less and hopefully this money will help achieve this more across the region.”

Cllr George Davies, Wirral Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said “Domestic abuse is a devastating crime that all too often remains hidden. In recognition of this, Wirral Council has pledged to treat domestic abuse with zero tolerance, which also means ensuring that victims are able to access appropriate housing, where they can feel safe and supported during times of crisis. I am therefore very pleased that this award of funding will enable Wirral, alongside our neighbouring councils, to adopt a housing-led approach to addressing the accommodation and support requirements of people fleeing domestic abuse, thereby enabling victims to rebuild their lives