Hartlepool domestic abuse victims thrown lifeline as funding doubles to help them through crisis

More than £403,000 has now been allocated to nine organisations due to significant demand for such support in the area.

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger’s office had assisted in making out a successful case for greater funding after a much smaller amount of £192,000 was initially allocated.

Hartlepool-based Harbour and other services in the Cleveland Police area including Arch North East, Eva Women’s Aid, Foundation, The Halo Project, My Sister’s Place, NACRO and Safer Communities will all receive a financial boost to cover any additional costs between now and the end of October.

The funding will help pay for digital equipment and technical support to allow staff to support vulnerable people remotely and to take on additional staff to deal with an increase in demand.

It will also pay for supplies for vulnerable victims including groceries, household goods and mobile phones to ease isolation, along with cleaning items for workers and PPE equipment.

Mr Coppinger said: “We’ve been incredibly lucky in Cleveland that all of our victim services have continued to provide crucial support to vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis.

“I’ve been impressed by the dedication and innovation demonstrated by staff working for these agencies, who have worked additional hours and grasped new technology to provide support at a time when victims are more isolated and vulnerable than ever.

“Unfortunately some of the adjustments they’ve made have left them out of pocket.

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to secure double our initial allocation by showing the Government how high the demand is for domestic abuse and sexual violence services in Cleveland.

“This investment will allow organisations to reimburse themselves for changes already made and to invest in supplies and additional services which will help them continue to deliver a high quality service in a safe way.”

Joanne Hodgkinson, chief executive of Safer Communities, said: “Our staff have worked continually, 24/7 throughout the pandemic to ensure victims continue to receive vital support.

“The funding is a fantastic boost, allowing us to provide a more responsive and flexible service.”

Earlier this year the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed how a funding stream for Eva Women’s Aid, based in Redcar, had been cut by the Ministry of Justice after it was unsuccessful with a bid to its Rape Support Fund.

The decision led Mr Coppinger to step in and temporarily fund the service – which helps victims of rape and sexual abuse recover from trauma and has been up and running since 2014 – with more than £40,000.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics released in December last year showed that domestic abuse-related incidents in the Cleveland area accounted for one in six reported crimes.

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