£38m of support for domestic abuse victims

Hampshire County Council has 11 refuge locations for victims across the county

Nearly £40 million will be spent supporting domestic abuse victims in Hampshire over the next seven years by Hampshire County Council.

The authority will also spend up to £1.5 million on behaviour change services for criminals.

It's estimated that 95,000 people were subjected to domestic abuse in Hampshire, including 43,000 children in the last year, according to council data.

Domestic abuse includes violence, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, and psychological or emotional abuse.

Under the Domestic Abuse Act, the county council has offered different support to victims and their children in safe accommodations such as refuges, sanctuary schemes and dispersed accommodation.

In 2023-24, commissioned services for domestic abuse provided support to 298 adults and 381 children and young people in refuge accommodations across 11 locations in Hampshire.

Over the same period community services helped 954 victims and survivors including 696 people who benefited from the sanctuary scheme, helping them stay safe in their homes.

Data also showed 169 victims and survivors, including 42 pregnant women, received domestic abuse support within Basingstoke, Winchester, and Andover hospitals.

Cabinet member for health and wellbeing Russell Oppenheimer said: “I’m pleased that we are working with the police and crime commissioner, it makes sense. We are likely to get a better deal. We are likely to get better outcomes for residents.”

Hampshire County Council currently serves as the lead commissioner for services for victims and survivors, as well as for people exhibiting abusive behaviours.

It is proposed that the council continue to be the lead commissioner for the service for victims and survivors from April 2026.