A year-long, PCC-backed project is supporting older domestic abuse victims to find the right help to recover.
The Protect and Support Fund project at Age UK Teesside helps female victims, aged 50-plus, in the Middlesbrough area.
So far, the £15,000 project has helped victims access support from a number of organisations. They include health services, housing providers and volunteering agencies.
Women, aged 50-plus, who have experienced a range of harms as a direct result of domestic abuse, are often likely to suffer from anxiety, loss of confidence, loneliness and social isolation.
The project works with women on a bespoke support plan. It offers them a range of interventions, which have included befriending, support to find more suitable accommodation and help to access community groups.
Unique Service
The unique service also aims to connect people with similar lived experience and gives clients opportunities to build resilience. Regular reviews identify any further steps required.
Ultimately, the objective is for clients to enjoy long-term improvements in mental and physical health and wellbeing as well as to live independently.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said: “Older women, who are victims of domestic abuse, are among the most vulnerable in our community.
“They may have spent years with their abuser, who has gradually worn away their self esteem and confidence, leaving them reluctant to challenge an abusive situation, leave or ask for help.
“It’s important that we support schemes like this, which reach out to victims, who may not otherwise be heard or helped.”
Anne Sykes, Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Teesside said “We are delighted to be working with the PCC in delivering a service for older people in Middlesbrough, who are ‘hidden victims’ of domestic abuse, are harder to reach or are reluctant to report crime.
“The project, led by our Services Manager Paula Taylor, is an area, which we are very passionate about as an organisation.
“We want to support these older people to have confidence to move forward with their lives.”
Significantly under-reported
Domestic abuse in older people is significantly under-reported. In England and Wales, systematic measurement of abuse for adults, aged 59-plus, has only taken place since 2017.
That was when the upper age limit for disclosing domestic abuse in the Government’s Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) was raised from 59 to 74 years.
Research shows the risk of experiencing domestic abuse is higher for those living in the most deprived areas of England and Wales.
Middlesbrough is the fifth most deprived local authority area in England based on the 2019 Index of Multiple Deprivation.
The Age UK Protect and Support Fund runs until November.