Domestic abuse survivors and their children will be better supported after Enfield Council received £900,000 funding for two vital projects.
Enfield Council successfully bid for funding with Waltham Forest and Islington which will help provide essential services and protection for vulnerable women and their families.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Cllr Nneka Keazor, said: “This funding is vital in ensuring that no-one fleeing abuse is turned away from the support they need. With one in four women suffering from a form of domestic abuse in their lifetime, we cannot stress how important these services are for Enfield. Domestic abuse has a devastating impact on the lives of children who witness it and these projects will ensure that young people affected by abuse and violence in the home are supported and get the help they need to recover from this trauma at an early stage.
"If you are a victim of domestic abuse or know someone who is, please get help now. The National Domestic Violence Helpline operates 24 hours a day on 0808 200 0247 but in an emergency, call 999."
The first bid was for a project called WiSER (Women’s Safe Engagement and Recovery Project). This project supports women who have experienced violence and face many difficulties including homelessness, mental and physical health issues and substance abuse. It will contact women who have not had any interaction with support services for an extended period and will help them access safe housing, benefits and education, and improve their health and self-esteem. Enfield Council will be able to access a pot of £749,312 awarded to the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
The second cross-borough bid was for a new project to support children who are living in refuges and are facing trauma because they have witnessed domestic abuse. Children who live with domestic violence are at risk of having poorer health, depression, post-traumatic stress and aggression. Older children and adolescents may begin to skip school, start to use drugs or alcohol or self-harm. Enfield Council will be able to help these children and will access a pot of £150,000 awarded to the London Borough of Islington.
The funding comes from a £16 million fund from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and spread over 75 projects across the country. Full details can be found here.
For more information on help available, spotting the signs of domestic abuse and getting help, see our domestic abuse page.