A NEW service to support vulnerable victims fleeing domestic abuse has been launched in Southampton.

Domestic Abuse Support+ (DAS+) has been set up by specialist supported housing provider Stonewater, backed by more than £90,000 government funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

DAS+ will provide vital support for women and children experiencing or at risk of domestic violence or abuse, reaching out particularly to some of the most "marginalised" and "hardest to reach" people across the city.

This will include individuals and families who are homeless, struggling to find or keep refuge accommodation due to mental health issues or substance misuse and those in complex situations linked to safeguarding concerns.

The launch of the service has been celebrated by one Southampton MP who branded domestic abuse as "heinous", adding that the Government and local authority need to "do more".

The new service will offer a lifeline to people experiencing domestic abuse and comes at a time when coronavirus restrictions have led to many being trapped at home with their abusers.

MP for Southampton Itchen Royston Smith said: "“Domestic abuse is heinous. The suffering of victims is unimaginable.

"Government and local authorities have made great progress in helping but more needs to be done.

"This new support service is very welcome and a further step towards keeping people safe and eradicating the scourge of domestic abuse.

"At a time when domestic abuse cases are increasing during lockdown we must all be extra vigilant in spotting the signs of victims of domestic abuse.”

The funding has been used to recruit three specialist coaches to support customers and as a result of a legacy donation to Stonewater, the service has also been able to fund a clinical psychologist, who will strengthen the service by enhancing the skills of support staff.

Denise Burtenshaw-Phillips, customer experience manager at Stonewater, said: "In Southampton 3,000 domestic violence crimes were reported in 2017/18, with the number of cases considered ‘high risk’ increasing significantly across the city.

"While more must be done to tackle the root causes of domestic abuse and stimulate long-term solutions, these statistics show there is a huge need for more specialist support provision – now more than ever, as the coronavirus crisis increases the risk of isolation.”