A PROJECT run by a Vale of Glamorgan-based organisation, in partnership with the Wales Probation Trust, has been awarded almost £50,000 funding.

The Education, Prevention, Intervention in the Community (EPIC) project, run by Atal Y Fro and the Wales Probation Trust, has been awarded £49,132 of Welsh Government funding this financial year to help it expand across South Wales.

Local Government and Government Business Minister Lesley Griffiths announced the award on Monday, December 23.

The programme works with families affected by domestic abuse to provide a comprehensive support service, including: a community Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme for the perpetrator; early intervention for couples; and a children and young persons programme, which focusses on education and counselling.

The programme has operated for three years in the Vale and has, to date, shown positive results including a decrease in repeat referrals from 23 percent to nine percent in the last two years.

The funding will meet a third of the annual cost of delivering the programme in the Vale and the initial development for rolling the programme out across South East Wales and into the Prison Service to begin working with prisoners.

The Wales Probation Trust will also contribute £25,000 to the project.

Lesley Griffiths AM said: “Domestic abuse is a crime that has a devastating effect on whole families so programmes like EPIC provide a vitally important service. By working with the whole family, the programme can help perpetrators to deal with the underlying issues causing their behaviour, as well as supporting victims and ensuring children affected understand domestic abuse is not normal or acceptable. The project, to date, has shown very promising results.

“Tackling domestic abuse requires many different approaches, from many different organisations. I am, therefore, very pleased to see the Wales Probation Trust and Atal Y Fro working together, supported by Welsh Government funding, to address the issue from all angles.”

Director of Barry-based Atal Y Fro Kay Quinn said: “We are delighted to receive this funding for the EPIC Programme and that Welsh Government has acknowledged the innovative partnership between Atal Y Fro and the Wales Probation Trust which is taking a holistic approach to one of society’s biggest issues.”