Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne, in partnership with the local authorities, has awarded a £25,000 grant to Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) to fund the delivery of specialist support services for families across Sussex who have been bereaved by homicide, suicide or unexplained deaths following domestic abuse.

The grant is made up of a £10,000 contribution from the PCC and a further £5,000 each from Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council.  The funding will enable AAFDA to offer:

Specialist practical and emotional support to bereaved families.

Unique peer support group sessions tailored to those affected by fatal domestic abuse.

Guidance and resources for statutory agencies to improve their response to domestic abuse and their engagement with bereaved families.

Dedicated support for children, including bespoke resources and trained support workers.

AAFDA will deliver these services across Sussex to improve support for victims’ families, enhance statutory responses and reduce the risk of future fatalities.

Commenting on the funding award, PCC Katy Bourne said: “AAFDA’s work is crucial in supporting families at their most vulnerable. This grant reflects a shared commitment by my office and the local authorities to ensure that families get the specialist support they need after the homicide, suicide or unexplained death of their family member or friend, following domestic abuse.”

Founder and Chief Executive Office of AAFDA, Frank Mullane said: “Behind every statistic is a grieving family, trying to navigate unimaginable loss. AAFDA is currently working with six families across Sussex, providing specialist advocacy and support to help them navigate complex systems, access justice, and begin to rebuild their lives. We are grateful to Katy Bourne and to the local authorities for this grant which will help us to be there for local families, and we encourage anyone affected by fatal domestic abuse to reach out to us directly or via statutory agencies. No one should have to face this trauma on their own.”

Director of Public Health, Darrell Gale, East Sussex County Council said: “At the recent finale event to the Baton of Hope Tour in Hastings [the UK’s largest ever suicide prevention initiative], a mother gave a moving reflection on the loss of her daughter to suicide following domestic abuse and coercive control.  This is why we are proud to pool funding with our partners across Sussex to enable AAFDA, experts in this field, to carry out this important work.”

“AAFDA provide vital specialist support and advice to bereaved families and we are really pleased that we have been able to provide funding to support them in partnership with East Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner”, added Amanda Jupp, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Adults Services.

Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet member for Children, Families and Youth Services at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “We are determined to work alongside our partners across Sussex to ensure families affected by the tragedy of domestic abuse and, where a homicide or suicide result from that abuse, compounding the trauma for families, receive the very best support.

“By funding AAFDA’s vital services, we are helping to provide practical and emotional assistance at the most difficult of times for those families, as well as strengthening the guidance available to statutory agencies.

“This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to supporting bereaved families and working together to prevent future loss.”

Further details about AAFDA’s support services and how to access them are available on the Safe Space Sussex website: Safe: Space Sussex – Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA). This online directory provides a secure environment where people can find out more about local victims and witness specialist support provision across Sussex.