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Islington Council secures £100k to fund Latin American Women’s Aid for victims of domestic abuse (16 March 2017)

Date: 16/03/2017
Duncan Lewis, Family Solicitors, Islington Council secures £100k to fund Latin American Women’s Aid for victims of domestic abuse

Islington Council and Latin American Women’s Aid (LAWA) have announced that £100,000 of central government funding has been secured to support LAWA’s specialist national refuge and services for Latin American women.

The council says that an estimated 300 victims of domestic abuse and their families will receive vital assistance through the 2016-2018 funding for LAWA’s services – which include a peer-to-peer support scheme, rights and social security advice and counselling.

LAWA’s refuge provides emergency accommodation to around 30 survivors of domestic violence and their children – they stay for an average of three to ten months.

However, the charity receives an average of 150 referrals per year and the funding will maintain and develop its refuge service, as well as improving access to early intervention support for Latin American women and children.

Those from Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries such as Angola and Mozambique who are at risk of or experiencing domestic violence will also benefit from the service.

LAWA’s services are based in Islington, North London and are run with four other London boroughs, which supported LAWA’s funding application to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s (DCLG) 2016/18 fund for refuges, specialist accommodation-based support and service reform fund.

Islington Council’s executive member for community safety, finance, and performance, Councillor Andy Hull, said:

“This is great news for this important national service – and a good example of how we can work together as a community to support survivors of violence against women and girls, to rebuild their lives and stay safe.”

LAWA General Manager, Yenny, added:

“We are delighted to have secured with Islington Council £100k of funding from DCLG to support our refuge and BME communities.

“Big thanks to our partners Hackney, Lambeth, Southwark, and Hammersmith and Fulham Councils.

“Challenges remain... but we are on the right path.”


News of the funding follows the recent launch of Islington’s new strategy to combat violence against women and girls.

In addition to the funding for LAWA, Islington is also set to benefit from a successful cross-borough bid for nearly £400,000 from the DCLG, as part of a programme to develop and train around 200 professionals working with women experiencing domestic violence.

Other partners in this second bid included Camden, Haringey and Enfield, as well as a number of organisations from the Voluntary and Community Sector.

Duncan Lewis Family & Domestic Violence Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Family & Domestic Violence Solicitors can advise victims of domestic abuse on how to tackle the issues within the law, including advising on controlling or coercive behaviour, domestic abuse between partners or
spouses or same sex partners, child-parent domestic abuse, elder abuse, domestic abuse between friends or flatmates, and financial abuse.

Duncan Lewis is also able to advise on FGM, forced marriage, honour crimes and dowry disputes – and advises on family law under the laws of England and Wales and Islamic law.

Duncan Lewis has multi-lingual staff and offers a 24-hour emergency service for domestic violence victims needing legal advice.

For expert legal advice on tackling domestic abuse, call Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409.

For urgent legal help with a domestic violence matter, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607, where a family lawyer is available 24/7.


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