MERSEYSIDE´S Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell has today announced more than £4m of investment in domestic abuse support services across the Region – with more funding than ever before being allocated directly to independent specialist organisations.

Nearly £2,200,000 will be invested in 5 local organisations to provide specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) over the next 2 years. This includes more than £1m to Local Solutions to deliver this crucial service in Liverpool and £220,000 to The 1st Step to deliver IDVA support in Knowsley. IDVAs provide critical support to high-risk victims and survivors, including crisis intervention, safety planning and essential emotional and practical support and advocacy.

A further £1,840,00 has been awarded to 11 domestic abuse services delivering vital community-based support for victims and survivors across Merseyside. This includes Knowsley-based The 1st Step being awarded a further £450,000, LDAS in Liverpool receiving a grant of more than £310,000 and SWACA in Sefton benefitting from more than £240,000.

These changes to the way support services will be funded from April 2026 onwards follows an in‑depth independent review commissioned by the PCC from Women’s Aid and Liverpool John Moores University.

Published in June 2025, the review provided the most comprehensive analysis to date of the reach, sustainability and effectiveness of domestic abuse support and provision. It highlighted the scale of domestic abuse locally – with an estimated 117,000 people affected each year – and made 20 recommendations to improve the way funding is allocated.

1 of these key recommendations was to prioritise direct investment in independent, community‑based specialist services, to ensure consistent, survivor‑centred support, describing them as the “lifeline” most trusted by survivors.

To ensure funding was targeted where it was needed most, in December 2025 and January 2026 domestic abuse organisations from across Merseyside were invited to submit detailed evidence of the demand they face and their needs.

To help meet that demand and strengthen the services victims rely on, the PCC took the decision to release an extra £300,000 of money seized from criminals into the funding pot, supplementing the grant provided by the Ministry of Justice.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- “Domestic abuse devastates lives. When someone finds the courage to reach out for help, they should be met with a specialist who understands trauma, listens without judgement, and stands firmly in their corner. Independent specialist services have the trust of survivors – this came through clearly in the review we carried out last year, which is why I have prioritised funding them wherever possible. This process has also focused on directing money to where the greatest demand is, so we can reach more victims and survivors and ensure they receive the critical support they need to cope and recover. I am committed to ensuring the very best possible support for those who need it most and making sure every penny goes directly to improving the lives of victims and survivors. Today’s announcement is another major step forward in my goal to deliver on the recommendations set out by Women’s Aid and LJMU.”

SWACA’s Chief Executive John Williams said:- "SWACA is seeing more victims come forward with increasingly complex experiences of abuse, reinforcing the urgent need for accessible, trauma‑informed support. We are committed to ensuring anyone who needs help receives specialist, compassionate assistance. The Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner’s proactive commitment to supporting victims plays a crucial role in strengthening and sustaining our specialist services. This partnership enables us to respond to emerging needs and continue improving support for victims and survivors. We encourage anyone experiencing domestic abuse or Violence Against Women and Girls to come forward — help is available, and you will be believed and supported.”

Chief Executive Officer for The First Step Caroline Grant said:- "Survivors in Merseyside urgently need accessible, specialist support, and direct awards represent a positive and much-needed step forward that we, as the specialist sector, welcome and celebrate with the PCC, as this progress truly matters. We now call on our PCC to build on this commitment by prioritising only genuinely specialist services, which are critical to delivering a robust, sustained response to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, and to reducing femicide in Merseyside. Survivors deserve nothing less.”

The Chrysalis Centre for Change Manager Julie Roby added:- “We are truly grateful to have received this funding. It will enable us to provide vital support and therapy to victims of domestic abuse at the most crucial times, ensuring sustainable resources over the next 2 years. This stability also offers much-needed consistency for women who rely on our services. We are here to support, empower and inspire women to live the lives they deserve free from abuse.”