Domestic abuse survivors in Kent will be supported by a £3.3m government investment in projects across the South East.

Housing minister Heather Wheeler announced the allocation of funding today.

It will help provide new beds in refuges and safe accommodation, access to education, and tailored employment and life-skills guidance as survivors move towards building a safe and healthy future for themselves and their children – free from domestic abuse.

Eight projects will be delivered by councils across the South East, working alongside local organisations to help ensure that no survivor of domestic abuse is turned away from the support they need to start their new life.

Mrs Wheeler said: “Those who have survived domestic abuse will have had their lives, and the lives of their families, shattered. It is our duty to ensure survivors can seek help by providing the support they need to restart their lives.

“Through providing specialist accommodation and access to employment, this fund will make sure councils and charities across the South East can provide a strong safety net for anyone facing the threat of abuse in their own home.”

Over summer, the government announced almost £19 million of funding to expand support for survivors of domestic abuse services across England, which has now been extended to £22 million.

The government is also due to introduce a new domestic abuse bill to protect and support survivors, recognise the life-long impact domestic abuse has on children and make sure agencies are effectively respond to domestic abuse.