New initiative aims to help victims of domestic abuse

Published Friday, 11th June 2021

A new initiative has been launched to provide vital support to people fleeing domestic abuse in Hartlepool.

The Safer Hartlepool Partnership has accepted a one-off grant of £5,000 from the Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and passed it on to specialist domestic abuse charity Harbour to fund special “grab bags”.

The CCG grant is paying for 50 bags which mean that individuals forced to flee abusive situations can be provided with basic essentials when they arrive at a refuge or other safe accommodation.

The bags contain items such as toiletries, underwear, pyjamas, a change of clothes and a pay-as-you-go mobile phone with £10 credit.

Harbour Chief Executive Lesley Gibson shows off one of the grab bags, with Councillor Shane Moore (left) and Dave Gallagher.

Harbour Chief Executive Lesley Gibson shows off one of the bags, with Councillor Shane Moore (left) and Dave Gallagher.

Councillor Shane Moore, Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership and Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “This is a great idea and highlights how tackling domestic abuse is one of the partnership’s top three priorities.

“I would like to thank the Tees Valley CCG for its grant offer and making this initiative possible.”

Tees Valley CCG Chief Officer Dave Gallagher said: “We are pleased to be able to support the partnership in its drive to tackle domestic abuse and we hope the bags will go some way to helping people who find themselves in abusive situations.”

Harbour Chief Executive Lesley Gibson added: “Individuals fleeing domestic abuse can find themselves left with nothing other than the clothes they are wearing, so these bags aim to provide them with some basic essentials that will enable them to retain some dignity at an extremely difficult and distressing time.”