Stop Domestic Abuse receives £785,821 of National Lottery funding to tackle domestic abuse in south east Hampshire

We are embarking on a new initiative to tackle the causes and impact of domestic abuse, after being awarded more than three quarters of a million pounds in National Lottery funding. We are the commissioned provider of domestic abuse services in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton and we will use the National Lottery money to provide specialist support to people who use abusive or unhealthy behaviours in their relationships and are committed to change.  

The funding from the National Lottery Community Fund will see us delivering a programme to around 350 perpetrators of domestic abuse in Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant and Fareham over the next five years. We aim to improve the safety and wellbeing of hundreds of families by reducing domestic abuse and supporting victims to seek specialist support. We will also provide training to other professionals and service providers in the community, with the aim of improving community awareness of domestic abuse and how to break the cycle of abuse in south-east Hampshire. 

Over the last few years, in partnership with Portsmouth City Council, we have helped hundreds of perpetrators to stop their abusive behaviours through a specialist project called Up2U. People who took part in Up2U told us that they felt more confident in managing their emotions and behaviours and crucially that they were far more aware of the impact of their abusive behaviours on their partner and family members. 86% of Up2U participants have reduced their abusive behaviours and gone on to have healthier relationships with their partners and families. 

Claire Lambon, Chief Executive of Stop Domestic Abuse, said: 

“We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work to tackle domestic abuse by making this funding award. Thanks to National Lottery players we will support perpetrators to change, we will keep families safe, and we will upskill other agencies working in Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport and Fareham.  

At Stop Domestic Abuse we believe that the key to working with perpetrators of domestic abuse is to achieve behaviour and attitudinal change, and to increase perpetrators’ accountability for the impact of the abusive and unhealthy behaviours they display in relationships.  With this funding we will support families to have safer, healthier relationships.”

“David” said, 

“When I was referred onto the programme I had problems with alcohol, violence and domestic abuse which my kids had witnessed. My relationship is ten times more stable now and the programme has helped me stop drinking alcohol. The programme opened my eyes up to the damage I was causing to my partner and children.”