£1.4 million has been secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for the next three years to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Conservative PCC Mark Shelford
The extra funding follows the Ministry of Justice’s recent announcement of an additional £6.6 million per year nationally to help services supporting victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse.
The total funding pot ring-fenced for PCCs across England and Wales to commission domestic and sexual violence services now totals £21.7 million.
In Avon and Somerset, the funding will be used to provide counselling for survivors of domestic and sexual violence including children and young adults, increase capacity to help more victims, run peer support groups and engage with women in the Criminal Justice System.
PCC Mark Shelford said: “I am delighted that the OPCC and victim providers have secured this additional funding from the Ministry of Justice.
“The extra funding will allow local organisations to support more people across Avon and Somerset – including children and young adults – with lived experiences of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
“Our local victim services will be able to continue to increase their capacity and, as a result, engage and support more victims in a range of ways including workshops, counselling and peer support groups.
“As I’ve said before, it is essential that victims know that help and support is available when they want to access it.
“The funding over a three-year period will make a massive difference to the services who will receive it and ensure victims are supported in the long-term.”
A total of 19 local organisations across Avon and Somerset will benefit from this additional funding.
