Specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence charities invited to apply for vital funds

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PCC Emily Spurrell in meeting

Charities which provide specialist support to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence are being invited to submit bids for vital funding by the region’s Police Commissioner.

Emily Spurrell is encouraging charities who support vulnerable victims to bid for additional Ministry of Justice funding, worth £15.7m nationally.

The money is designed to provide a vital cash boost to specialist community-based support services to further expand the support they can provide for those who have survived these crimes.

This includes organisations which provide tailored support services to help victims of rape, sexual violence, sexual abuse, honour-based abuse and stalking, cope with the impact of the crime and, as far as possible, recover from the harm they have experienced.

The funding will be provided to successful recipients for 2022/23, but has the potential to be extended for a further two years.

Emily said: “Victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse are among the most vulnerable in our communities. They deserve the best possible care and support to help them recover from the traumatic ordeal they have suffered.

“Our community-based support services do a fantastic job providing crucial care – but I know they are desperately stretched.

“I am determined to do everything I can to give them the resources they deserve, so I would encourage them to take up this opportunity to access this additional funding.

Emily added: ““As I’ve said many times before, I do not believe these one-off ‘crisis pots’ are the right way to fund our vital support services. They do nothing to address this issue long-term and they also provide a significant burden on the organisations who are continually having to submit bids.

“I have raised this with both the Home Office and Ministry of Justice already, and I will continue to lobby central government at every opportunity I get to provide funding for our support services which is guaranteed, robust and sustainable.

“In the meantime, though, I would urge any support service who needs additional funding to get in touch so I can do everything possible to get them the funding they need.”

The deadline for applications is 1pm on Wednesday 27th April 2022.

Find out more & apply here