Domestic abuse victims and their children living in Cumbria will be able to receive more support following extra funding as part of the Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill.

In total, councils across England will receive £125 million, with Cumbria County Council set to receive £995,779.

The extra money will help victims and their children access life-saving support in safe accommodation, including advocacy, counselling, and therapy in safe locations such as refuges or specialist safe accommodation, where victims and their children can go to get away from their abusers.

Councils will be required to provide support to domestic abuse victims and their children within safe accommodation services, where needs have been identified.

Trudy Harrison, MP for Copeland, said: “It is vital that victims of domestic abuse feel they have somewhere to turn for help and today’s £995,779 funding package for Cumbria County Council is a further step towards breaking the cycle of these horrific crimes.

"It is clear that the Government is committed to supporting the most vulnerable in society through a package of measures and this latest funding will ensure those who need to access safe accommodation and the support services they need to recover and rebuild their lives are able to do so.”

The funding will come into force later this year with the passage of the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill.

This funding is part of a wider package of support for victims of rape and domestic abuse, with a £40 million funding boost for victim support services announced on February 1 2021, building on £76 million pledged in May 2020 to ensure vital services including refuges, helplines and counselling remain accessible throughout the pandemic.

In January 2021, the Conservative 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.

Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing Eddie Hughes, said: “Domestic abuse is a heinous crime which threatens the lives of victims in their own homes where they should feel safe. So it’s right that we’re giving victims support in safe accommodation and providing councils with money to deliver essential services that will help them and their children rebuild their lives.

“This is part of a long-term strategy to provide broader support for domestic abuse victims both in safe accommodation like refuges and in their homes.”