Domestic abuse victims in Sheffield set for more help as extra £1m support announced

South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings said a bid for extra money from the Ministry of Justice had been approved.

Concerns were raised earlier this year that rates of domestic violence may have been rising during the coronavirus pandemic.

Two different allocations have been awarded to his office, which will be distributed to charities and community-based support services between now and March 2023.

Funding of £683,667 has been awarded to fund extra posts as part of the Independent Sexual Abuse Advisors (ISVA) and Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor (IDVA) provision in South Yorkshire. The ISVA funding will be used specifically to support children.

Working alongside local authorities, local partners and victim services, the IDVAs and ISVAs will provide practical and emotional support and advocacy for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Dr Billings has also committed a further £51,185 to bring the total allocation to £734,852.

An extra £314,710 has also been awarded to support community-based support services. This is split with £251,955 allocated to domestic abuse services and £62,755 to fund sexual violence services across the county. Again this has been supplemented with funding provided by Dr Billings.

Dr Billings said: “This money is very welcomed as it will enhance services already provided in South Yorkshire and alleviate some of the additional pressures placed on services during the pandemic.

“It will ensure that support and resources can be offered quickly to all those vulnerable victims and survivors when they need it, wherever they live in the county.

“Whilst the majority of victims in these situations are female this funding will also be used to support male victims and children who are also victims of domestic abuse and also need help and support.”

In Sheffield, £220,098 will go over two years to the IDAS Sheffield domestic abuse helpline.

Money will also go to community support services including, the Haven House Project (£33,112), Vida Sheffield (£23,040), Saffron Sheffield (£22,440), Roshni Sheffield Asian Women’s Resource Centre (£25,000), Young Women’s Housing Project (£27,151.03), Mums In Need (£18,000) and Ashiana Sheffield (£36,108).

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