DAWN Project's future, which is under the Worcester Community Trust umbrella, has been secured after it received an additional 12 months' worth of funding.
The decade-long registered charity was set to lose a significant amount of funding in March after its Business Rates Retention Fund via Public Health ended.
However new funding from South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, means the service is back open and taking new referrals to support victims.
Jo Jefferson, head of health and targeted intervention, said: “We are extremely pleased to say that the DAWN service is back up and running with funding secured for the next 12 months.
“Our special thanks go out to the domestic abuse survivors who shared their stories, the amazing DAWN team who remain loyal to this service and their clients, the local organisations who pledged money and donated incentives to the campaign, local councillors, and of course the public for their incredible generosity. This money will enable us to continue supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse over the next 12 months.”
Over £38,000 was donated by the Worcestershire community during a GoFundMe campaign where residents pledged their support for the DAWN Project.
“During our Crowdfunder earlier this year, the passion for how valued the service is really shone through, and we truly appreciate every message of support we received," added Ms Jefferson.
The successful GoFundMe page has also led the charity to seek more people to join its team, including one role now focusing on supporting‘hard to hear’, underserved and marginalised communities.
This includes, but is not limited to, LGBTQ+ individuals, Black and minoritised communities, people with disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers, and those facing cultural or language barriers.
There is also space for a part-time role focusing on supporting male and male-identifying victims and survivors.
In the UK, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
Since 2020, the charity has supported over 1,000 people and affected the lives of around 1,500 children in south Worcestershire.
Support from DAWN for male and female survivors of domestic abuse includes safety planning, accessing housing, benefits advice, debt advice and legal services, support at criminal and family courts and referrals to other specialist services.