£100,000 for domestic abuse survivors to get ‘DIY injunctions’ and ‘Sanctuary Schemes’
A £100,000 scheme will help domestic abuse survivors in Hackney and the City of London get ‘DIY Injunctions’ to access court orders against perpetrators quickly, effectively at little cost.
In Hackney approximately 80 victims / survivors and their families will be safer through ‘Sanctuary Schemes’ that ensures flats and houses are made more secure through measures such as alarm systems, improved lighting and reinforced windows and doors. The City of London already operates a robust Sanctuary Scheme, being able to maximise the safety of 10 families.
Changes to Legal Aid have made it harder for women to receive legal help to obtain injunctions against perpetrators of domestic abuse. In order to obtain justice, many survivors now need to obtain court orders themselves – ‘DIY Injunctions’.
The DCLG grant will also be used to specially train and resource around 120 dedicated domestic abuse advocates and managers in key frontline services in the health, social care, criminal justice and the voluntary sector across Hackney and the City of London to help survivors obtain ‘DIY Injunctions’ and court orders. Survivors will be guided through the court process at very little cost to them and will receive protection from court orders which, if breached, will lead to the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.
This specialist DIY Injunction training will also be given to domestic abuse advocates from Hackney, Newham, Waltham Forest and Tower Hamlets who support victims and survivors whose cases are heard at the East London Specialist Domestic Violence Court. The Specialist Domestic Violence Court is a partnership between the four neighbouring boroughs which aims to make sure that offenders are brought to justice more effectively.
Domestic abuse is not OK and it will not be tolerated here in Hackney. Supporting survivors of domestic abuse is our main focus and by strengthening security we can help more families feel safer and enable them stay in their own homes. Making it easier to get injunctions and court orders also means that victims are protected and perpetrators can be apprehended and prosecuted.