Domestic abuse services – funding and status

My request relates to local authority commissioned funding for refuge services and housing for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Please can you provide the following information about the commissioned funding for domestic abuse support services in your local authority.

1. Do you directly commission refuge services for victims and survivors of domestic abuse? 

Yes, we are funding two charities, who were providing safe accommodation, to continue to provide their services until the commissioning is completed.

2. If yes, is the refuge service you commission for women only (single sex)? 

Yes

3. The Domestic Abuse Bill 2021 introduced a new legal duty for local authorities to fund “safe accommodation” for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and their children. Is the safe accommodation you fund under the new duty women only (single sex)?

See above, Devon County Council will be commissioning support in safe accommodation for women, men, transgender people.

4. The Domestic Abuse Bill 2021 introduced a new legal duty for local authorities to fund “safe accommodation” for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and their children. Does the safe accommodation you fund under the new duty provide specialist support designed for women who have survived domestic abuse? 

The new duty is for support in defined accommodation, not for the accommodation