Victims of domestic violence will be offered up to £500 to help them flee their abuser - under plans unveiled by the Home Office.
In a trial with Women's Aid, survivors will be given one-off payments of £250, rising to £500 if they have children, following the £300,000 announcement by the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman.
It comes after research by the organisation found that almost three quarters of women living with and having financial links with an abuser said the cost of living had either prevented them from leaving, or made it harder to leave.
READ MORE: Woman banned from keeping dogs after being filmed hitting pups
Two thirds of survivors also said that abusers are using the cost of living increase as a tool for coercive control, including to justify further restricting their access to money.
The M.E.N previously spoke to one woman, who said the only way she could afford to leave her violent partner was through the help of her boss at work, who stumped up the cash to pay for a private rented flat.
Her ex-boyfriend subjected her to six years of emotional, physical and financial abuse before she was able to leave him for good.
The mum-of-two, said: "If it wasn't for her I know I'd still be there now. After we had children I was due to go back to work but he said 'oh you're going to spend all the money on nursery fees why don't you stay at home and I'll take care of it.'
"But he never did and when I finally persuaded him to let me go back to work, all my money was spoken for. All my wages would go on the house and bills so there wasn't anything left for me."
Another woman said she had considered going back to her violent and controlling ex-partner after being left stuck in a hotel room - as there were no refuge spaces across the whole of Greater Manchester.
She needed food and clothing for her children, and after just a week of leaving, with no permanent roof over her head, she'd already thought about going back to him.
The government money is being allocated to Women's Aid, who will support domestic violence victims to pay for essentials such as food, nappies, sanitary products, rent on their previous property, or it could be put towards a deposit on new accommodation.
Women’s Aid will then provide further assistance for victims to set themselves up sustainably, by accessing benefits or finding work.
Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: "This fund is an excellent start in supporting survivors who desperately need emergency funds to leave their abuser, and an important breakthrough moment.
"This fund really could be the difference between life and death for the most vulnerable. This fund is thanks to the survivors of domestic abuse who have campaigned for this with us and other organisations, and we thank the government for listening to their voices.
"Through our work with women, we constantly hear about the economic barriers preventing them from fleeing their abusers. That’s why we’ve campaigned since last summer for a fund to meet survivors’ financial needs during this challenging time where many costs have risen, and practically, leaving has become much more difficult.
"This commitment not only provides life-saving support it also sends a strong message that the government is committed to helping bring about the day when domestic abuse is not tolerated anywhere in our society."
The new plans come after the government announced last month that domestic killers with a history of coercive control against their victims, will face tougher prison sentences. The use of excessive or gratuitous violence will also be made an aggravating factor in sentencing decisions for murder, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "It is heart-breaking that vulnerable people find themselves trapped with their abusers without the financial means to leave and find safety.
"We’re absolutely committed to supporting victims in the way that best meets their needs and provides them with the opportunity to rebuild their lives after their trauma.
"I am proud to be working closely with Women’s Aid to deliver these payments, which could change, and potentially save, the lives of hundreds of victims."
READ NEXT:
- ‘You can taste the grease in the air’ - The Greater Manchester postcode lottery that could mean you live five years longer
- Mystery deepens around abandoned Greater Manchester graveyard after sudden appearance
- 'He was a bit of a creep... it was constant weirdness': Boy, 15, bombarded with messages by police officer, court hears
- Young dad-of-five dies weeks after horrific motorbike crash during dream trip to Thailand
- Schoolboy suffers 'chemical burns' following cruel park attack
