Staying Put gets £310,000 to help victims of violence (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Staying Put gets £310,000 to help victims of violence

7:00am Thursday 17th May 2012 in News

A Bradford charity which helps women suffering domestic violence and abuse has received a £310,000 Lottery windfall.

The money means the Staying Put Legal Assistance Service, developed and expanded in 2009 through Lottery funding, will be sustained for a further three years.

Staying Put received the cash from the Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities Programme and Supporting Change and Impact Fund.

More than 1,300 families have benefited since the service was set up as an extension to other services Staying Put already provides to those experiencing domestic violence and abuse.

Laura Chapman, chairman of Staying Put, said the funding was excellent news as the organisation provided a complex service that responded to individual needs.

She said the service had moved beyond keeping families safe from abusive relationships and also helped them in independent living.

Yasmin Khan, director of Staying Put, added: “This grant will be a lifeline for hundreds of vulnerable women and their children across the district.

“The sustainability of the service will strengthen and streamline existing violence against women services funded by Bradford Council and the Primary Care Trust, so that women who are vulnerable and finding the process of dealing with the difficulties of an abusive relationship frightening can gain a service from one point of contact.”

The main role of the legal assistance team is to support women through the court process. The service offers legal information and supports women in gaining orders through the civil courts to help keep them safe. If a woman is not eligible for free legal aid, Staying Put can support her in applying for orders by representing herself at court. The legal assistance team also supports women at criminal courts, before, during and after the trial.

The legal assistance team works closely with other agencies including solicitors and the Probation Service.

For more information, contact Staying Put on 01274 667104.