Ashfield District Council’s White Ribbon Accreditation has been extended until November 2025, highlighting its commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

The council said it has reviewed internal procedures, provided training to staff, and updated its Domestic Abuse Policy to ensure robust measures have been put in place to safeguard and support survivors of domestic abuse.

The Community Safety Team has secured more than £90,000 for 2022/2023 towards funding for safe accommodation and supporting survivors of domestic abuse, including the Sanctuary Scheme.

This homelessness prevention initiative aims to enable survivors of domestic abuse to remain in their home by increasing the security of the premises.

Council leader Coun Jason Zadrozny said: “The funding will be available to support residents, who through no fault of their own have become subject domestic abuse.

“This is an issue we take very seriously as a council, and we take a zero tolerance approach to this kind of behaviour.”

The deputy leader and executive member for Community Safety and Crime Reduction, Coun Helen Ann Smith, said “Unfortunately domestic abuse can happen at any time and to anyone regardless of background.”