Over £17 million has been awarded to programmes across England and Wales to support children affected by domestic abuse under the government’s strategy to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The funding announced by the Safeguarding Minister on 4 January 2023 will develop early intervention strategies to prevent violence against women and girls. More than £10 million has been allocated to organisations providing vital support to children who have survived domestic abuse, such as counselling and 1:1 support.
Of the £17.8 million, up to £7.4 million will be invested over 3 years to programmes which prioritises early intervention and research into the most effective ways of preventing abuse. This will work to establish how to prevent violence against women and girls, marking a commitment in the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 legally recognised children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right where they see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse, and are related to either the perpetrator or victim.
The Minister for Children and Families, Claire Coutinho, said:
“Instead of a safe and stable family life, children who experience domestic abuse are growing up with pain and conflict at home as their norm. This investment will provide crucial support like 1:1 counselling and support work for those affected by domestic abuse.”
What is domestic abuse?
In today’s world it is incredibly saddening to see that children are still victims of domestic abuse, and unfortunately Domestic Abuse incidents on the rise.
Domestic Abuse is explained as:
“Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional.”
How can SA Law help those affected by domestic abuse?
SA Law’s Family lawyers are experienced in a wide range of private Injunctive Applications which can be made to the Court for those affected by Domestic Abuse.
An injunction is a Court order prohibiting a person from taking a particular action or requiring them to take a particular action. The most common orders being:
• Non-molestation Order: this order is aimed at preventing your partner or ex-partner from using or threatening violence against you or your child, or intimidating, harassing or pestering you, in order to ensure the health, safety and well-being of yourself and your children.
• Occupation Order: this order allows the Court to decide who should live, or not live, in the family home or any part of it. The order can exclude a person from any part of the home.
For more information about the types of Court orders which can be made or advice on Domestic Abuse, please contact Sonal Parekh on: sonal.parekh@salaw.com or 01727 798 060
