A DEDICATED £1.1m service to support victims of domestic and sexual violence is being launched this autumn.

The service will provide a single point of contact for people across Brighton and Hove and East Sussex.

Brighton and Hove City Council has awarded a contract to domestic abuse charity Rise along with the Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI) and the Survivor’s Network to run the service.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has provided £300,000 over three years and East Sussex County Council is also helping to fund the service.

The aim is to provide safety and support to people affected by domestic violence and abuse and sexual violence and abuse, including rape.

Other key features will be specialist services specifically for women and ensuring victims and survivors from black and ethnic minority and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities also have tailored support.

In Brighton and Hove the new service will also provide longer help to protect victims and to help them recover, as well as refuge support.

City council leader, councillor Warren Morgan, said: “Domestic and sexual violence, as well as other forms of violence against women and girls, can blight victim’s lives, and the lives of those around them.

“We are committed to maintaining our focus on these issues because of the impact on those directly affected, on our communities and our services.

“The key message is that violence, abuse and exploitation are never acceptable under any circumstances.

“This new service will ensure that we have the right provision locally, built on existing local expertise, and that people know that they are not alone, that help and support are available and that we want to back them in coming forward.”

Rise chief executive Gail Gray said winning the funding "endorses us as the lead specialist providers".

She added: “It also provides us with a more sustainable income base for the next three years. Consistency of provision can only be good news for our service users and staff.”

Ms Bourne said: “The contract between both councils and the partnership led by Rise demonstrates how working together can strengthen the capacity of local services so that they can respond more effectively to meet the needs of victims.”

The service launches on October 1.