£40m to help victims of domestic abuse during pandemic

Victims of rape and domestic abuse will be helped by a major £40 million funding boost for specialist support services.

The Ministry of Justice has made the funding announcement as charities report a 200 per cent increase in calls and people accessing webchat services since the first lockdown, with some victims feeling at greater risk of harm or deciding to report abuse for the first time.

It is hoped that the new investment will allow support organisations to recruit more staff, keep helplines open for longer and adapt to remote counselling where necessary – ensuring help remains available for those who need it. Up to £16 million of the investment will fund the recruitment of more independent sexual violence and domestic abuse advisers across the country.

A new government advertising campaign, #ItStillMatters, has also been launched to raise awareness of sexual violence services and ensure victims of rape and sexual abuse know where to get help – encouraging them to take the often difficult step of seeking support for the first time.

Justice Minister Alex Chalk said: “For many victims this pandemic has been an inescapable nightmare in which they often feel trapped and at greater risk of harm. Their protection remains an absolute priority and this funding, backed by our new campaign, should mean no victim is left to suffer alone.”