THE Chancellor of the Exchequer announced during the Budget that the Southern Domestic Abuse Service has been awarded £190,000 to deliver innovative services to the most vulnerable victims and survivors of domestic abuse and female genital mutilation in south-east Hampshire.

The government money is on its way after a successful bid by the charity and the promised funding will expand services and increase accessibility to specialised services.

Southern Domestic Abuse Service is an innovative and unique provider of support services to all victims and survivors of domestic abuse and intensive support will be offered to victims living in the community as an alternative to them fleeing to a refuge.

Children who have witnessed domestic abuse will be supported to understand what has happened in their family and learn about healthy relationships, reducing the negative impact on them and the likelihood of them becoming a victim, perpetrator or general offender in the future.

Women from diaspora communities affected by female genital mutilation or cutting will be empowered to challenge the practice.

And group work will reduce re-victimisation of survivors and build supportive social networks.

These aspects all combine to empower victims and survivors and their children to move on and live lives free from domestic abuse.

Beneficiaries will be women and their children who are victims of domestic abuse in South East Hampshire, including East Hampshire.

The charity was only one of 19 across the country to win funding despite high numbers of applications.

Claire Chatwin, chief executive of Southern Domestic Abuse Service, said: “We are delighted that our innovative work has been recognised by the Treasury and we will ensure that we continue to make a difference to the lives of those affected by domestic abuse and female genital mutilation.

“We are grateful for the support we have received in securing this crucial funding for the area our organisation serves. We hope that the funding from the ‘tampon tax’ becomes part of a long-term sustainable funding solution to supporting victims and survivors and one that is resourced fairly and not just from taxes on women.”

Commenting on the grant, East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds said: “Having seen first hand the difference made by Southern Domestic Abuse Service in the community, I was absolutely delighted to hear that their application to the tampon tax fund had been successful.

“Southern Domestic Abuse Service is exactly the type of programme that the fund is designed to support, bringing help to more vulnerable women across East Hampshire and the wider south-east Hampshire area.”

While domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, women are far more likely to be victims than men. Two women per week are killed by their current or former partner, 89 per cent of victims who experience four or more incidents of domestic abuse are women, and on average a woman will be assaulted 35 times before seeking help. The cost to the UK economy was estimated in 2009 to be £15.7m per year.

The Government announced at Autumn Statement 2015 that it will operate a new £15m annual fund to support women’s charities. This is equivalent to the VAT raised on sanitary products each year. The fund will run over the course of this Parliament, or until the UK can apply a zero rate on sanitary products.

The purpose of the fund is to support a range of good causes across the UK specifically benefitting women.

Southern Domestic Abuse Service provides services to women, children, young people and men what have experienced or are experiencing of domestic abuse.

Anyone who needs help, advice or support can call 023 9248 0246, e-mail [email protected], or visit southerndas.org.