FURNESS has landed a share of a £3.5m government grant to make sure victims of domestic abuse have a safe place to go to in emergencies.

Barrow Borough Council is one of 46 local authorities to be awarded a slice of the funding for the New Lives Project.

The council successfully bid for £47,000 to develop and deliver the scheme to provide accommodation for domestic abuse victims.

No specific accommodation of that type is presently available in Barrow. The money will allow the council and the Women’s Community Matters charity – which works to improve the lives of women in the borough – to protect anyone facing the threat of abuse in their home.

The money will help provide a safe place for women in immediate need to leave abusive situations, for themselves and their children.

The project will provide a one-stop point of contact and “transition” for victims, reducing the number of agencies they have to contact. The issue will be discussed by the council’s Housing Management Forum in the town hall on Thursday.

The council’s housing department will provide two places of accommodation for this soul purpose.

Women’s Community Matters will employ a dedicated member of staff to provide support and manage it day-to-day.