The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, has this week published the early findings from a survey which aimed to map out the services available across England and Wales.

More than 500 organisations and 4,000 individuals responded to a request for information – culminating in the findings which will be followed up by a full report in the autumn.

The report can be read here, and some of the key findings are as follows:

• Two thirds of those who accessed specialist domestic abuse services felt safer as a result.
• Almost three quarters felt more in control of their lives after seeking specialist support.
• Community-based support was sought after, to include advocacy, counselling, therapeutic support, helpline advice and mental health care.
• Fewer than half of those experiencing domestic abuse were able to access the support they wanted.

The Commissioner has called for a ‘significant funding injection’ which focuses on ‘the greatest gaps in provision, by type of organisation, intervention, and regionally’ and ‘by and for services’.

And the report also states: “The Victims Bill represents too good an opportunity to pass up. It is critical that we come together to understand the problem we are faced with and develop robust, evidence-based solutions to truly transform the response to domestic abuse and end the postcode lottery.

“We hope that by publishing this information as early as possible, we are supporting those who might support and scrutinise the Bill to make it as ambitious as it can be. The 2.3 million people who experience domestic abuse every year deserve nothing less.”