Domestic abuse support service expanded
Durham and Darlington PCCA support service for women from minority backgrounds who have experienced domestic abuse is set to be expanded.
The Halo Project provides safeguarding and culturally appropriate advice to women in County Durham and Darlington.
Labour Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Joy Allen has secured an additional £132,000 from the Ministry of Justice, which will be used to hire more staff.
Allen said the support services provided by Halo "not only save lives but transforms lives".
"Victims of these appalling crimes deserve the very best care possible to support recovery," she said.
"I hope this joint investment reassures all survivors that we will walk with them through every step of their journey as they rebuild their lives, heal and reclaim control."
The funding will be used to hire one full-time support worker, while Durham County Council has stepped in to provide the equivalent of half a full-time support worker.
The contract will run for two years but has the potential to be expanded into a third.
The Halo Project's chief executive Yasmin Khan said the charity continued to see reports of abuse and harm from women and girls in the area, as well as cases of "unmet needs" for black, minoritised, and migrant women.
"They turn to us as there is simply no other specialist victim service in the region which is culturally specific to their needs," she said.
