Abuse Charity Calls For Jersey 'Flee Fund' Grants

A Jersey domestic abuse charity would like to see emergency government grants, similar to those being offered in the UK, introduced here to help victims to flee dangerous relationships.

FREEDA (formerly Jersey Women's Refuge) believes the cash payments for victims in England and Wales will significantly help with their ability to seek safety for themselves and their children.

From later this month, the  UK Home Office will be giving domestic abuse survivors there grants of up to £3,000 to help them escape their tormentors.

It is suggested that £500 is used to flee immediately, and the rest of the money can go towards other costs, such as rent or food shopping.

CEO of FREEDA Lisa Leventhal says it would be wonderful if Jersey followed suit.

"By giving this emergency funding it is certainly going to make a difference to a lot of women to have that initial step out of that relationship."

She tells Channel 103 that it is well-known that financial and economic coercion exists in 95% of domestic abuse cases. It commonly prohibits women from leaving and creates a cycle of abuse.

"FREEDA sees women coming to us sometimes in their pyjamas, just with their toothbrush, and we find ways to help with any emergency provision.

That's quite difficult because we have to engage with other charity partners to do that. So for there to be an existing fund, that would be an incredible advantage."

Dr Karen Kyd, Lisa Leventhall and Rose Sutherland at the opening of the new women's safe house in 2023.

The UK's £2 million scheme has been described as a lifeline for people who have been forced to return to their abusers, or are trapped with them.

Last year, 600 people were given between £250 and £500 in a pilot scheme.

It found that 80% of survivors could use the 'flee fund' to escape their situation and buy essentials such as food, clothing and nappies on top.

Women's Aid charities in the UK and the Home Office will give out grants in England and Wales from February.

Assistant Home Affairs Minister Deputy Louise Doublet told Channel 103 that the grant is 'an interesting idea' that 'needs to be looked at'.

But she went on to tell us that but any fresh government support is unlikely to be a direct cash payment.,explaining that Jersey's approach to the issue is through education.

"We might not provide a monetary payment to them, but we as a ministerial team are keen to see support is offered to any victims of domestic abuse.

We're also committed to eliminating the actual abuse in the first place and preventing the abuse.

I would hope that those cultural changes, which might take a while to see, would actually have the effect of preventing abuse."

A recent report into Violence against Women and Girls, published in November 2023,  made 77 recommendations for making the island a safer place.

Read: "Many Women And Girls Are Fearful For Their Safety"

A survey by the task force found that 97% of women and girls asked had experienced sexual harassment. 

In November, Assistant Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Deputy Louise Doublet, vowed she would not let a report which exposes the level of violence against women and girls in Jersey 'sit on the shelf'.

Home Affairs Minister Deputy Helen Miles said she will carefully consider the findings and recommendations, but it will require potentially radical change to how the systems currently work.