A MAJOR £2million project to tackle domestic abuse and stalking in Surrey has been given the green light after a successful bid for government funding by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey.

The Home Office perpetrator funding was secured by Commissioner Lisa Townsend’s team as part of a national programme to provide support to those responsible for harmful behaviour with the aim of helping change the way they think and behave.

The funding, spread over the next two years, will be used to create a domestic abuse hub which will be open to any adult in Surrey and give participants the skills to be able to make positive, long-lasting changes in their lives.

It will be made up of a team of “intervention navigators”, each of whom will be experts from a range of specialist services. They will provide support to adults and children affected by the individual’s harmful behaviour, helping them to feel safe, able to cope and heal from their experiences. 

There will also be specially tailored support for young people who may be using violence in their own young relationships or towards their parents or carers.

The hub will work together with other agencies across the county to help those who have been abusers to address compulsive and obsessive behaviours and help protect all victims far earlier.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “This is really great news. My team have worked incredibly hard to secure this funding, which I believe will make a significant difference to the lives of many people in Surrey.

“Reducing violence against women and girls is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan, and my commitment in Surrey is to work with our partners to create a county that is not only safe for all residents, but feels safe too.

“This initiative allows services to move away from a reactive approach – where an incident has already happened – to a more proactive system. 

“This work will involve entire families and improve access to specialist services for those who may otherwise have no way of reaching out for help.

“It will also unite the organisations and charities already doing such fantastic work in this area so we can deliver a service that supports all who are in need.

“We know that working with those responsible for abusive and harmful behaviour can heighten the risk to those whose lives they have affected – this funding allows us to manage that risk far more effectively.”

Last year, Mrs Townsend announced a successful bid for a £1m Home Office grant to challenge violence and abuse. The grant has been used to fund teacher training and a public campaign to help children and young people.

She also recently secured £175,000 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund to improve safety for women and girls using the Basingstoke Canal in Woking. The project claimed a prestigious Tilley Award at a ceremony in October.

Detective Superintendent Amy Buffoni of Surrey Police said: “We are delighted the Police and Crime Commissioner has secured this funding, which will help us in providing effective interventions, focused on offending behaviour.

“The new hub will be staffed with skilled and experienced domestic abuse staff, navigating individuals into programmes which are specifically designed to enhance the safety of survivors.

“They will ensure we hold individuals accountable and responsible for their behaviour, while treating them with respect, and offering opportunities for change.”

A spokesperson for the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner added: ‘‘Any adult concerned about their behaviour can self-refer into the hub – it will be promoted in public spaces such as libraries, gyms, doctor surgeries, and so on.  

‘‘The programmes on offer will also be discussed with individuals if it is appropriate by the agency they may already be in contact with – this could be drug and alcohol services, children’s services, adult social care services.

‘‘The programmes will be offered by Surrey Police when no formal charge is brought.  They will also be used when there is sufficient evidence to charge or caution, the individual admits the offence and it meets the criteria to participate in a scheme to address the root causes of the offending behaviour, without going to court and entering the criminal justice system.

‘‘If the person fails to complete the programme, they will be sent back to court for a formal outcome. These programmes are intended for adults who are perpetrating domestic abuse and stalking."