£14m deal to tackle violence at home

Agencies tackling domestic violence have been awarded a three-year
package worth £14m.

The funding, announced by home secretary David Blunkett, coincided
with the launch of the BBC’s Hitting Home series to raise awareness
about the impact of domestic violence.

The beneficiaries are England’s 376 crime and disorder reduction
partnerships that will develop local strategies to deal with
domestic violence,

The Home Office is also financing a new co-ordinator, to be based
at the Local Government Association, to work with councils and the
police to address domestic violence locally.

A domestic violence consultation paper is due in the spring with a
draft bill expected to follow. It would be the first legislation
covering domestic violence since 1976.

Meanwhile, crime rehabilitation agency Nacro has called for more
specialist services to target groups affected by domestic violence.
In a report it says services need to be developed for women and
children from ethnic minorities.

A spokesperson said addressing domestic violence was about changing
cultural assumptions. “It is also about tackling social problems
that are as relevant to this form of crime as any other. Violence
in the home will often be related to problems in the home:
inadequate housing, lack of opportunity, poor leisure facilities
and lack of support for families in crisis.”

– Domestic Violence: From Streets to Sitting Rooms from
Nacro on 020 7840 6427.