A training programme to help protect young women from sexual violence will be introduced in Leicestershire
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner announced a new funding opportunity to support the roll-out of the training programme
Last updated 30th Sep 2024
A training programme that aims to prevent violence against women and girls across Rutland and Leicestershire will be rolled out across the area.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Rupert Matthews, has announced a new funding opportunity to support the project designed to protect young women and girls from sexual violence.
Around £75k has been allocated to help over 40 organisations across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area to deliver the project.
The programme has been specifically developed to prevent and raise awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls.
Community-based groups, grassroots organisations, charities and sports and youth clubs are invited to apply for a grant to cover the costs of the training package, support and guidance.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Rupert Matthews said:
"This is a great opportunity to join us in our efforts to protect the future safety of young women and girls.
"Nationally, violence against women and girls crimes are increasing, with the risks of harm to young people especially becoming more complicated with the rise in digital technology.
"We are working hard to tackle the immediate threat by bringing more perpetrators to justice and increasing support for victims, but it is essential we double our efforts to prevent these crimes in the first place.
"I believe in reducing criminality through prevention, not sanction. Together with partners, we plan to target intervention as early as possible to reduce the risk of young people being harmed or committing these abhorrent offences in adolescence or adulthood."
Mr Matthews secured significant funding from the fifth round of the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund and has designated part of the grant towards this new initiative.
The PCC continues to work with the Violence Reduction Network and other criminal justice and public sector agencies to tackle this and recently oversaw the development of a new joint violence against women and girls strategy for 2024-2026.
Mr Matthews said:
"This is a three year program. What it's about is trying to prevent sexual violence before it happens. What we've discovered is that a lot of young people are growing up with warped views on sex and sexual violence.
"The idea here is to teach people what they should be doing and what a healthy attitude in a relationship is. Also, to equip people with the confidence to look for warning signs and be aware of things that can happen early in a relationship that are signs of what might happen later.
"The effects can be devastating. It's absolutely appalling. It's not just the physical violence, domestic violence and sexual violence tends to be part of a longer term problem. This includes undermining self esteem and ruining self confidence."