COUNCIL chiefs have been given hundreds of thousands of pounds to support victims of domestic violence with reports of cases rising during the pandemic.

The local authority will be handed £682,592 from the government as part of a £125m English councils fund.

The government says councils must ensure victims and their children are able to access life-saving support in safe accommodation – a key part of its Domestic Abuse Bill.

This will come into effect later this year, subject to the bill becoming law.

Cllr Nadim Muslim, the borough's stronger communities cabinet member, has welcomed the move.

He said: “The money will be used to help rebuild victims’ lives and is part of a wider package that we have to support people who suffer from domestic violence, which is devastating.

“We will be able to really take another big step to break the cycle of domestic violence with this funding which is really important.

“We will go through a process of allocating the funds decide the best way to spend the money. We are really optimistic about it.

“Hopefully the fund will improve how we deal with domestic violence cases going forward.”

Minister for rough sleeping and housing, Eddie Hughes, says the funding is part of a “longer-term strategy” to help victims.

He said: “Domestic abuse is a heinous crime which threatens the lives of victims in their own homes where they should feel safe.

“So it’s right that we’re giving victims support in safe accommodation and providing councils with money to deliver essential services that will help them and their children rebuild their lives.

“This is part of a long-term strategy to provide broader support for domestic abuse victims both in safe accommodation like refuges, and in their own homes.”

During the coronavirus crisis there have been reports of an increase in domestic locally and nationally with victims trapped at home with their perpetrators.

Cllr Muslim wants victims to know help is on hand for those who are suffering from domestic violence.

He added: “We do not want anyone to experience domestic violence but if they do we want them to be comfortable with asking for support should they need to.”