VICTIMS of domestic violence in East Lancashire will benefit from nearly 30 new beds in safe houses and extra specialist advice services as part of a £168,000 government investment initiative.

There are no permanent women’s refuges established in either Hyndburn, Ribble Valley or Rossendale, unlike Blackburn and Burnley, according to Lancashire County Council.

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Now additional funding has been provided by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to bridge the gap and supply spaces in a network of safe houses.

One co-ordinating authority will be Harv (Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Domestic Abuse Service) and the safe houses will be situated at undisclosed locations in Hyndburn and Rossendale, where the Star Centre manages operations.

County council health official Sarah McCarthy said: “The funding will build on a pilot safe house provision by increasing the capacity of Harv to provide additional services identified in the DCLG bid.

“Ribble Valley will provide a new specialist domestic abuse outreach service.”

In Hyndburn, there are currently eight beds in two safe houses and it is intended that this will be doubled, as the result of funding totalling £58,715.

For Rossendale, the existing five safe house beds provision will be increased to 26, through the Star Centre and with the support of housing landlord Calico, following an £80,375 payout. This will be supplemented by a housing support service.

Meanwhile, Ribble Valley’s £28,375 is set to be directed towards outreach work, with support for victim families and transport being provided to the safe houses being established in neighbouring Hyndburn.

Earlier this year Comic Relief also provided £110,000 for Harv to spend on a domestic violence adviser and specialist support for young people.

Councillor Kerry-Anne Molineux, chairwoman of Hyndburn Council’s communities and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee, said: “This money will not only increase the number of places, but also the type of cases that can be dealt with.”