Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb has welcomed Dudley Council receiving £663,000 of government money to support and house victims of domestic abuse.

The funding will help victims and their children access safe accommodation, plus support services such as advocacy, counselling, and therapy in safe locations. 

The extra money for the authority is part of £125 million earmarked for councils across England and will be available from April. Ms Webb said:

“I'm pleased our local council will soon have more money to help and protect those who have fled the crime of domestic abuse in our communities.

“Sadly, the pandemic has seen a rise in domestic abuse and violence across the country and those who are victims need to have the very best facilities and support so they can be safe and start to rebuild their lives."

In a further move to support domestic abuse victims, last month the 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.