DURHAM Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has secured more than £320k to help tackle domestic abuse.

following a successful partnership bid to the Home Office Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Fund.

The Home Offfice Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Fund nationally is to be used for intervention programmes using different methods to encourage behaviour change, including 1-to-1 and group therapy and community-based activity.

Key objectives of the programmes include reduction in the "frequency and gravity of abuse, reduction in the risk posed by the perpetrator and improved safety and protection for victims".

The funding will be used by Ms Allen's office locally to improve outcomes for perpetrators of domestic abuse with the aim of reducing reoffending and protecting victims and survivors of child and adolescent to parent violence and abuse.

The money will also be used to further look to support families where children or young people aged between 8 and 18 are abusive or violent towards the people close to them, particularly their parents or carers. This abuse may be physical, verbal, financial, coercive, or emotional and may include behaviour such as physical violence, making threats or causing damage in the home.

Programmes will be delivered by from a variety of practitioners including youth work, social work, youth offending teams and children and family workers.

This bid was submitted in partnership with both Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council.

Ms Allen said: “I have already given an undertaken in my Police and Crime Plan to use robust domestic violence programmes to prevent domestic violence and abuse happening in the future.

"Domestic abuse is a hidden harm and a serious crime, and I am delighted we have been successful in securing funding from the Government to deliver this advanced programme.

“I along with my team are committed to working in partnership with local authorities to ensure intervention programmes are being delivered with a focus on understanding the root cause of offending and trying to prevent further cases of domestic abuse across County Durham and Darlington.”

If you suspect domestic abuse or experiencing it yourself seek help: https://www.myharbour.org.uk/ / 0300020 25 25.

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