Commissioner helps fund project supporting survivors of domestic abuse in rural areas and raising awareness

An initiative to raise awareness of domestic abuse in rural communities – and signpost survivors to support services – has secured grant funding from Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone.

Eve, a specialist domestic abuse charity based in Northamptonshire, has been awarded just under £10,000 to support the delivery of its Safe Horizons project.

Research by the National Rural Crime Network has found that domestic abuse in rural communities lasts 25% longer on average than in urban areas, while isolation in rural areas is often used as a weapon by abusers.

Danielle has also hosted several round table discussions with members of rural communities, in which domestic violence was raised as potentially less recognised in rural areas, and that people may have less access to information about services and did not know where to signpost survivors to for help.

Now the Commissioner has awarded grant funding to Eve through her Safe and Sound Communities Fund, which supports projects that underpin the aims of her public safety plan and support vulnerable people across the county.

Eve, which was first founded in 1982 as the Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge, offer restorative support services for women and children who are survivors of domestic abuse. Through its Safe Horizons project, it also offers accredited training sessions on understanding domestic abuse, identifying the signs, and challenging attitudes that perpetuate domestic abuse.

The grant funding will allow Eve to conduct presentations and talks over the next year, which will reach a range of groups in rural community venues across the county. It will also fund printed and social media materials that can be shared across the areas they have reached.

Christine Morgan, the CEO of Eve, said: “Eve is grateful to the Commissioner for this vital funding, which will enable us to extend our reach and strengthen our work within rural communities. Through this project, we aim to improve awareness and visibility of Eve’s support services, ensuring that anyone affected by domestic abuse—no matter where they live—can access the help and safety they deserve.”

Danielle Stone said: “Northamptonshire is predominantly a rural county, so it’s important that we understand the issues that matter to those residents. I know domestic abuse, and particularly how we can support vulnerable residents in our rural communities, is something that has been raised as an area of concern.

“So I am happy to support Eve and their Safer Horizons project with grant funding. Their visits to community groups throughout the county will help to challenge attitudes and potentially prevent people from heading down the path to becoming abusers.

“And by promoting the support services that can be offered, we are better supporting some of our most vulnerable residents.”