Swindon Women's Aid is set to receive a £36,930 boost to continue to provide life-saving services during the current Coronavirus crisis
The funding comes from the £8.1 million announced this week by Housing Minister Luke Hall – which will support domestic abuse safe accommodation services.
Swindon Women's Aid is one of more than 100 charities who will benefit from the new funding. Over a third of successful applicants offer specialist services to particular groups such as BAME, LGBT and disabled victims.
The money will help domestic abuse charities across England provide over 1,500 bed spaces to support survivors of domestic abuse at risk during the pandemic, and will also support the critical work these charities do to help survivors and their children to rebuild their lives.
In addition to this the Government is bringing forward legislation to give domestic abuse victims ‘priority need’ access to settled housing, ensuring they can find a home which is safe, secure and away from the threat of abuse.
Justin Tomlinson MP and Robert Buckland MP said: “Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service has seen a huge increase in demand due to coronavirus, so we are pleased that this funding has been awarded by the Government.
“We would like to thank all those volunteers who are currently working hard to support this brilliant local charity.
“We would urge any man or woman who believes they may be suffering from abuse of any kind, including, coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of violence), psychological and/or emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial or economic abuse, harassment and stalking ,or online or digital abuse, to reach out for support by ring the 24-hour helpline on 01793 610610 or visiting https://swadomesticabuse.org/
“The Swindon Women’s Aid charity shop has been forced to close due to Coronavirus and many fundraising events have been put on hold, so we would also ask local residents to consider organising their own fundraising in line with the current government guidelines, or donating to the Covid-19 Appeal here https://swadomesticabuse.org/”
