Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to help support survivors of domestic abuse in Birmingham.

The government has taken a number of measures to support victims of domestic abuse across England and Wales. As a result of the of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and our Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan (2022) the government will invest up to £140 million in supporting victims.

Funding which may support victims in Birmingham from this plan includes, but is not limited to:

• Independent sexual violence advisors.
• Services in receipt of funding from the £8.3 million VAWG Support and Specialist Services Fund.
• Funding for helplines, such as the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline, delivered by Galop.
• The Support for Migrant Victims Scheme which provides accommodation and wrap around support for migrant victims of domestic abuse with insecure immigration status.
• From 31st January 2024, domestic abuse services, including those located in Birmingham, can refer victims to the flexible fund. This will mean victims can benefit from direct payments to flee abuse or build a sustainable future due to an additional £2 million investment.
• The Duty on Tier 1 local authorities in England, to provide support for victims of domestic abuse and their children within safe accommodation, including refuges. The Government has committed £587 million in support of safe accommodation services since 2014.

Ringfenced funding the Ministry of Justice provided to PCCs. In 2023/2024 MoJ provided £38 million for Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors and £21 million for community-based domestic abuse and sexual violence services.