HARRY POTTER author JK Rowling has made a £1million donation to homeless and domestic abuse charities – as the government revealed a £76million plan to help those living in fear during lockdown.
JK Rowling, 54, wrote on Twitter she had contributed to Refuge and Crisis “because we know that domestic abuse has, sadly, increased hugely during the lockdown”. The Government has also acted on fears that the instruction to stay at home means some people may feel trapped in dangerous situations. Minister Robert Jenrick said: “As a father of three girls I cannot even imagine women and young children being put in this situation – but they are.
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“We must be alive to the reality of what is happening in all too many homes across the country.
“I want us to defend the rights of those women and those children wherever we can and that is what we’re going to do.”
The cash will fund accommodation for survivors of abuse and their children. It will also help charities offer new ways of helping those in need, through telephone and online services. Addressing victims of domestic violence directly, urging them to call police if they are in trouble, Mr Jenrick said: “You are not alone, you do not have to stay at home, you can and should leave the home if you’re in danger.
“Our outstanding police will be there for you. They will help you.”
The overall package of Government funding includes more than £26million from the Department for Education to support vulnerable children and £25million from the Ministry of Justice to help victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The Ministry of Housing will contribute £10million for safe accommodation, while £7.8million will come from the Home Office to support charities that help children at risk, including those at risk of sexual abuse and criminal exploitation. It will come from the £750million package of support for charities which was announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last month.
He said: “For survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and modern slavery, this funding will ensure they can continue to receive the support they desperately need to rebuild their lives, whether that’s safe accommodation or specialist counselling.”
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland added: “Domestic abuse and sexual violence are devastating crimes and now, more than ever, victims should know that they are not alone.”
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read more from source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1277106/JK-rowling-donates-one-million-charities-homeless-domestic-abuse-harry-potter
