WIREDGOV

A Hampshire based project working closely with local police to tackle domestic abuse as soon as it is reported, has been awarded £254,939 of funding from the Big Lottery Fund yesterday.

Run by charity Aurora New Dawn, this unique initiative will see expert staff attend domestic violence incidents with Hampshire Constabulary to offer immediate support to victims.

Unlike many other similar services, the new funding means the project’s experienced staff will be on hand at a time that a victim needs it most by responding with police when a crime of this nature is reported.

The project is based on two successful pilots which found 100% of victims were happy to speak to the charity’s staff when they attended with the police at the time of the crisis and around 50% continued to engage with the service in the long-term.

This early intervention approach means the project reaches those women at serious risk of harm or even murder and also those who have never called the police about domestic violence before until that moment.

Aurora New Dawn and Hampshire Constabulary work in partnership to complete a risk assessment to help provide victims with fast and appropriate support. Over the next three years the project is set to help around 750 women.

Shonagh Dillon, Chief Executive of Aurora New Dawn, said: “Our vision is to end discrimination against women through offering protection, safety and support. We know that two women are murdered by a current or former partner every week in England and Wales, and that on average a victim will have been abused around 35 times before they call the police. This service gives us a chance to reach out and offer face to face support at times when domestic abuse is most likely to occur, on Friday and Saturday nights. We are very excited about working in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary on this project and incredibly thankful to the Big Lottery Fund for this grant to enable us to support so many survivors.”

Lyn Cole, Deputy Director, England at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “Domestic violence is still largely a hidden crime and many people who experience it find it extremely difficult to report it for a number of reasons. The Big Lottery Fund is proud to support Aurora New Dawn’s project in Hampshire which aims to intervene at the point of a crisis, providing immediate support to victims of domestic abuse who may otherwise not seek help until it is too late.”

Below are some quotes from beneficiaries of the pilot project, a police officer involved and an Aurora New Dawn volunteer.

“...less daunting [than] police on their own.”
Survivor

“I think the police gave a better service by having Aurora New Dawn with us.”
Police officer

“[The victim was] willing to engage and take action. She never has been before.”
Aurora volunteer

If you are in immediate danger call the police on 999. Alternatively you can call the 24 hour national domestic violence helpline on 0808 2000 247.

For more information on Aurora New Dawn, visit www.auroand.org.uk

Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @biglotteryfund #BigLottery
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFund

For funding and general enquiries call:
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Notes to editors

• A report published by the Office for National Statistics in February 2014 stated 7.1% of women reported having experienced domestic abuse in the previous year, equivalent to an estimated 1.2 million female victims.
• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes. 
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £6.5billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to commemorative travel funding for World War Two veterans.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £33 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.