Rutland MP Alicia Kearns has welcomed almost £1.2 million of government funding to help provide refuge for victims and their children find somewhere safe to stay.

The government has awarded councils in Rutland and Leicestershire £1,165,000 for this, as part of a £125 million package nationally.

The government says the funding is part of a landmark Domestic Abuse Bill and package of comprehensive support for victims.

Rutland MP Alicia Kearns says she is reassured to see that domestic abuse victims and their children living in Rutland and Leicestershire will be able to receive more support, thanks to extra Government funding.

The extra funding will help victims and their children access life-saving support in safe accommodation, including advocacy, counselling, and therapy in safe locations such as refuges or specialist safe accommodation, where victims and their children can go to get away from their abusers.

The measures will come into force later this year with the passage of the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill. The Bill will create a legal definition of domestic abuse to provide clarity that domestic abuse can be financial, verbal and emotional as well as physical and sexual and that it is about patterns of abuse over time. As part of this definition, children will be explicitly recognised as victims if they witness abuse.

The government says it is determined to support vulnerable people throughout the pandemic, and is working closely with councils, charities and other partners to ensure they get the support they need.

The MP commented: "Domestic abuse is a truly horrific crime that ruins lives. I know that this Government understands this and is committed to empowering and protecting victims.

"I believe it is important to find the most effective way to ensuring these victims have support. The £1,165,000 announced today for Leicestershire and Rutland will ensure that anyone who needs to access safe accommodation and the support services they need to recover and rebuild their lives will be able to do so and is part of a wider package of support we have put in place for victims of rape and domestic abuse.

"This is a crucial step in supporting victims recover and rebuild their lives."

Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing Eddie Hughes said: "Domestic abuse is a heinous crime which threatens the lives of victims in their own homes where they should feel safe. So it's right that we're giving victims support in safe accommodation and providing councils with money to deliver essential services that will help them and their children rebuild their lives.

"This is part of a long-term strategy to provide broader support for domestic abuse victims both in safe accommodation like refuges and in their homes."

Last week, as reported by Nub News, £300,000 of extra funding was announced to support groups across Rutland and Leicestershire who help victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The deadline for funding applications is next week.

Rutland's Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach also spoke of how one scheme is helping the victims and witnesses of crime, as previously reported by Nub News.