Plans for £140,000-a-year domestic abuse service

A council has earmarked £770,000 for a domestic abuse service supporting victims and survivors.

Peterborough City Council is planning a city-wide programme for the next five-and-a-half years, which is currently jointly commissioned with Cambridgeshire County Council.

The authority anticipates 250 people subjected to domestic abuse would be helped each year by the service, which is for Peterborough residents.

It would give direct and confidential support to victims of any gender, and primarily work with those not at significant risk of serious harm or homicide.

A report being presented to the council's cabinet on Tuesday said: "It is essential that those who are being subjected to domestic abuse are able to access specialist support without having to enter the criminal justice system, or for them to have to make contact with other professionals.

"This will enable those who are concerned with their situation to access support at the earliest opportunity."

It is a "mobile advocacy" service, meaning it can be accessed by anyone regardless of their level of risk, so they can be safe either in their own homes or get help finding alternative accommodation.

There were about 7,000 victims of domestic abuse in Peterborough in 2022 to 2023, according to the crime survey for England and Wales.

The plan is to begin a tender process in March with a six-week period for interested parties to apply.

The £140,000-a-year contract would initially be funded for a period of three-and-a-half years, with two one-year extensions.

The funding comes from a Safe Accommodation Grant provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The contract would begin in October, after the jointly-commissioned service across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has ended.

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