Eastbourne and Willingdon MP Caroline Ansell has welcomed East Sussex County Council and the borough council receiving £1.1 million of government money to support and house victims of domestic violence.
The funding will help victims and their children access safe accommodation, plus support services such as advocacy, counselling, and therapy in safe locations.
The county council is receiving £1,069,272 and Eastbourne borough a further £32,736.
The extra money for the authorities is part of £125 million earmarked for councils across England and will be available from April.
“The pandemic has distressingly driven a big rise in the crime of domestic abuse across the country and Eastbourne has not been immune because we have seen a rise here too,” said Caroline.
“This money is then very welcome and will do so much to ensure the victims in our communities can receive the help and protection they need, firstly to leave the abusive partner, and then feel safe.
“Support so they start to rebuild their lives is also important and such generous funding will mean victims receive the best help.”
In a further move to support domestic abuse victims, last month the Government also launched the ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword scheme, which provides victims of domestic abuse access to immediate help from the police or other support services from their local pharmacy.
