I would like to make a freedom of information request according to the Freedom of Information Act 2000. My request relates to local authority commissioned funding for refuge services and housing for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Please can you provide the following information about the commissioned funding for domestic abuse support services in your local authority.

1. Do you directly commission refuge services for victims and survivors of domestic abuse?
Yes.

2. If yes, is the refuge service you commission for women only (single sex)?
Yes.

3. The Domestic Abuse Bill 2021 introduced a new legal duty for local authorities to fund "safe accommodation" for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and their children. Is the safe accommodation you fund under the new duty women only (single sex)?
The new duty relates to delivery of support to victims of domestic abuse in domestic abuse safe accommodation services. The statutory guidance is clear that the provision of support is for all victims of domestic abuse, including their children, regardless of their relevant protected characteristics. The guidance is also clear that refuge, specialist safe and dispersed accommodation should be single gender or single sex accommodation. Accordingly the support within safe accommodation funded will be for single gender or single sex.

4. The Domestic Abuse Bill 2021 introduced a new legal duty for local authorities to fund "safe accommodation" for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and their children. Does the safe accommodation you fund under the new duty provide specialist support designed for women who have survived domestic abuse?
In line with the new duty, the support within safe accommodation funded will be within single gender or single sex, safe accommodation. This will include support for women who have survived domestic abuse as well as, separately, men who have survived domestic abuse.