Rochdale Borough Council awarded over half a million pounds for domestic abuse services

Councillor Susan Smith, the council’s cabinet member for communities and co-operation

Rochdale Borough Council has been awarded over half a million pounds of government funding to further boost its efforts to tackle domestic abuse across the borough.

The funding will help to provide additional accommodation for domestic abuse victims in the borough, so more can access fully furnished self-contained flats away from harm’s way.

It will also enable the council and its partners to continue to have staff on hand 24 hours a day to support people with complex needs, as well as boost existing services to support the recovery of children who have witnessed domestic abuse.

The additional funding will also enable more adults and children impacted by domestic abuse to access therapy to deal with the trauma they have experienced. Safety planning, resilience building and coping strategies will be offered to families still living with domestic abuse.

More victims will be offered additional help to move on into independent accommodation once the immediate risk from domestic abuse has reduced and they’re ready to start rebuilding their lives.

They will also be offered help by specialist domestic abuse staff and given specialist security products if they want to remain in their own homes.

Councillor Susan Smith, the council’s cabinet member for communities and co-operation, said: “Domestic abuse is a crime which has a devastating impact on victims and sadly, we’ve seen an increase in cases over the past 12 months.

“Our efforts to tackle domestic abuse and support victims will never stop, and with this money we can do even more. This includes providing support for children, young people and adults to help them understand healthy relationships and spot the signs of abuse, because unfortunately the impact of domestic abuse goes far beyond the person who is directly targeted by it.

"I would urge anybody who would like to know more about the many support services available in our borough to take a look at: www.rochdale.gov.uk/domesticabuse or call 0300 3033 581, you will find services such as Cut it Out, Turning the Spotlight and read about the changes in the law.

“The message is very clear; help is out there and nobody has to deal with this alone.”