Welsh charities set to Transform domestic and sexual abuse services following investment from Lloyds Bank Foundation

Welsh charities are set to transform the domestic abuse sector thanks to a significant investment by Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales, as part of its Transform programme, which seeks to stimulate innovation and improvements in domestic abuse and sexual violence policy and practice.

At a time when the number of reported domestic violence crimes in Wales rose by at least 23% between 2013 and 2015, three Welsh charities have been awarded grants including:

• Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Services, who, in partnership with Carmarthen People First, will use its £98,692 grant to research and identify effective interventions for domestic abuse survivors with learning disabilities.

• Safer Wales were awarded £100,000 to research the needs of sex workers and women in the criminal justice system, who are affected by sexual violence and domestic abuse.
• New Pathways will use a £99,893 grant to conduct an ambitious research and development programme to explore new therapeutic interventions for people affected by sexual violence.

Paul Streets, Chief Executive of Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales, said:

“We have a long and successful history of funding specialist charities who offer critical support to people experiencing domestic and sexual abuse in communities across Wales.  But this sector is under huge pressure. Funding cuts mean these charities are struggling to stay afloat, let alone have time and space to innovate and develop new models of care. We’re pleased to invest almost £300,000 into charities in Wales who are at the forefront of developing new approaches to tackle domestic and sexual abuse on the frontline. At a time when domestic abuse is on the rise in Wales, we should make better use of the knowledge and expertise Welsh charities bring to shape and improve services, policy and practice for the benefit of victims and survivors now and in the future.” ENDS

Colleen Bennett, Finance Coordinator of Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Services, said:

“People with learning disabilities form relationships just like everyone else and domestic abuse exists within this community too. Domestic and sexual abuse services must be better equipped to support people with learning disabilities. With funding from Lloyds Bank Foundation, we will work in partnership with Carmarthenshire People First to conduct robust research in this area and use this knowledge to build effective partnerships between organisations that support disabled people and domestic abuse charities, so expertise can be more widely shared.” ENDS

Bernadette Bowen-Thomson, Co-CEO of Safer Wales, said:

“There is currently a lack of data about the experiences of abuse and violence amongst women exploited through prostitution and women in the criminal justice system, meaning their specific needs can be invisible when local and regional government come to consider what services are needed locally. This new funding from Lloyds Bank Foundation will mean we can build trust with these women and provide a safe space for them to share their experiences of trauma. By giving these women a voice we hope future domestic abuse and sexual violence services will be better equipped to meet their individual and specific needs.” ENDS

Mike Wilkinson, Deputy Chief Executive of New Pathways, said:

“Reports of rape and other sexual offences are on the increase and both national and regional governments need to look at new ways of responding. Whilst therapeutic interventions are available for people affected by sexual violence, our grant from Lloyds Bank Foundation will mean we can properly research those interventions that are the most effective and draw this information together into a qualification so professionals can better support those in need.”