Legal News

The community safety team at Tower Hamlets local authority has been awarded nearly £65,000 in additional funding to help support victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Tower Hamlets is one of 46 local authorities to be awarded a total of £3.5 million in funding by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

The £64,378 funding will be used for a pilot project to support the most vulnerable victims in the borough, by offering accommodation-based support, with a wrap-around support service and legal support.

The council will work with two specialist Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) organisations – Rights of Women and Against Violence and Abuse (AVA) – to deliver the project.

The project will be assisted by Tower Hamlets’ Supporting People and Housing Options services – and will be supported by a range of housing partners from across the borough.

The most disadvantaged victims of abuse in the borough – those with no recourse to public funds – will be given an emergency bed space until their needs are addressed by a specialist support worker.

The council will also offer additional support for residents who have experienced abuse and are living in hostel accommodation

Priority will be given to women experiencing multiple disadvantages – complex drugs and alcohol needs, homelessness, mental health issues, street-based sex workers, or those with limited financial means.

The project will add capacity-building support and training to refuge and housing providers across the borough – and will work with police to improve their response to abuse victims.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, said:

“We are pleased to be awarded this funding, which will allow us to develop a pilot project to provide emergency accommodation for those residents who most need it.

“We will use this funding for victims of abuse who find themselves in extremely vulnerable situations through no fault of their own.”

Tower Hamlets Cabinet Member for community safety, Councillor Shiria Khatun, added:

“With this additional finance from central government, we will be able to fund emergency bed spaces and provide a specialist support worker to disadvantaged people.

“By working with the police, Rights of Women and AVA, we are better placed to assist women who have experienced abuse – and provide them with comprehensive legal advice.”

Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Solicitors

Duncan Lewis domestic violence solicitors offer Legal Aid services to victims of domestic abuse – and can advise on how to tackle abuse within the law, including domestic abuse between partners and spouses, same sex partners and spouses, elder abuse, parent-child abuse, abuse in platonic relationships and between flatmates, psychological abuse and financial abuse.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and Duncan Lewis advises on domestic violence under UK law and Islamic law – including advising on FGM and honour crimes, as well as advising victims of human trafficking and/or modern slavery on domestic violence or abuse.

For expert legal advice on domestic violence, call Duncan Lewis domestic violence solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409.

For urgent help with domestic violence or international parent-child abduction, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.