Domestic abuse makes up around 13% of all the crimes dealt with by Hertfordshire Constabulary.

The Living Room has been given £4,964 to help them raise awareness and provide weekly therapy sessions to approx. 50 victims of domestic abuse.

Rita Cooper, Operations Director, The Living Room said: “Domestic abuse and the issues around it including substance misuse and mental health issues can be highly complex and if left unaddressed, can often be passed down the generations, perpetuating a cycle of domestic abuse and addiction.

“We are grateful for this grant that helps us to provide intensive and sustained therapeutic interventions for adults in Stevenage and the surrounding areas. We will also use the money to raise awareness about complex co-existing domestic abuse and addiction issues and the treatment available, amongst members of the public, and health/social care professionals.”

David Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner said: “The Living Room Charity is a great community and voluntary initiative and one that I am pleased to support.

“The aim of Police and Crime Commissioner’s Action Fund is to assist communities in coming together to generate ideas and implement projects that contribute to delivering my Community Safety and Criminal Justice Plan (2017-2022) for Hertfordshire. This project aims to do just that.”

Helen Gray, Hertfordshire Community Foundation Director said: “We are happy to be able to support this programme which will improve the life chances of vulnerable families in Hertfordshire, especially their children.”

Domestic abuse makes up around 13% of all the crimes dealt with by Hertfordshire Constabulary. Children were known to be present in the house in 28% of all reported domestic abuse crimes and incidents across 2014/15, and were recorded as a witness to the abuse in 15%.

About the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Action Fund
The aim of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Fund is to support community and voluntary initiatives which will reduce crime and make Hertfordshire a safer place to live by helping to deliver the priorities of the Commissioner’s Community Safety and Criminal Justice Plan for Hertfordshire (2017 – 2022).
The fund is made up from funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) and empowers local groups to find solutions to community safety problems.

Find out more about the fund here