London Black Women’s Project has been awarded around £1.4million to provide domestic abuse accommodation for women and children from Black and South Asian communities.
The funding boost comes during a 16-day campaign against gender-based violence which started on 25 November with International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.
Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said: “My heart goes out to any women who is the victim of domestic abuse. Tackling domestic abuse is a top priority for the Council to ensure the safety of our residents, especially women and girls.
“We listened to the voices of domestic abuse survivors in designing our services so it meets their needs and I pleased they will get the support they deserve with the award of this contract.”
Meril Eshun-Parker, Director of London Black Women’s Project, said: “The London Black Women’s Project has been working to eradicate domestic and gender-based violence for over three decades and we are delighted to receive this award.
“It will enable us to make a critical difference to the lives of women and children from Black and South Asian backgrounds who have experienced domestic violence.
“There has never been a more important time for more refuge spaces than right now and we are pleased that London Black Women’s Project is able, with support from Newham Council, to provide a place of safety and support for victims across the borough to help them to rebuild their lives free from violence.”
Newham has a long history of providing refuge to women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
The new 25-bed service, which includes additional therapeutic services, mental health advocacy and specialist support for children and young people, aligns with the Council’s commitment to embedding a “trauma-informed response” in its services.
Specialist legal advice for women with who have “no recourse to public funds” or require greater legal protection and employment and educational support will also be provided by the new service, which starts next April.