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<p>Decisions on the provision of accommodation for victims of domestic abuse are for
local authorities; we expect local authorities to commission services based on the
needs of their communities, taking account of locally available data sources.</p><p>
</p><p>The dynamics of domestic abuse mean that accommodation can play an important
role in the resolution of interpersonal abuse and conflict. This is why the homelessness
legislation in England provides one of the strongest safety nets in the world for
families with children and for vulnerable people who become homeless through no fault
of their own.</p><p> </p><p>There is a range of support for victims of domestic abuse.
Some victims will be accommodated in refuges, but Sanctuary Schemes and mainstream
local authority accommodation may be an option for others, while some victims will
pursue independent solutions with help and advice from support schemes as necessary.</p><p>
</p><p>This Government has invested £6.5 billion to help vulnerable people through
housing related support. This forms a key element of refuge funding through local
authority commissioned services. We also fund UKRefugesOnline a UK wide database of
domestic violence services which supports the national 24 hour free phone domestic
violence helpline. This service enables those working with victims of domestic violence
to identify appropriate services and potential refuge vacancies around the country
so that victims can get the help they need as quickly as possible.</p><p> </p><p>This
Government has ring-fenced nearly £40 million of funding for specialist local domestic
and sexual violence support services until 2015. This funding is used to part-fund
54 multi-agency risk assessment conference co-ordinators and 144 independent domestic
violence advisers. We have piloted and rolled out Clare's Law and domestic violence
protection orders; extended the definition of domestic abuse to cover controlling
behaviour and teenage relationships; run two successful campaigns to challenge perceptions
of abuse; and placed Domestic Homicide Reviews on a statutory footing to make sure
lessons are learned from individual tragedies.<br><br>We are keeping this matter under
review, and are keen to support best practice and greater joint working.</p>
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