Extra 50k for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse in Gloucestershire
PCC Chris Nelson secured the funding from the Ministry of Justice
Three organisations who support victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse in Gloucestershire will share more than £50,000 in funding from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
TIC+, the Nelson Trust and Gloucestershire Counselling Service were among the organisations that were successful and will share a total of £52,780 from the MoJ’s Critical Support Fund.
The unexpected windfall money from the MoJ’s Critical Support Fund follows a national rise in incidents during the pandemic.
How will the money be spent?
TIC+ will receive £20,313 towards supporting what has been described as ‘unprecedented demand’ relating to domestic abuse and sexual violence referrals from children and young people in Gloucestershire.
The Nelson Trust will put its grant of £28,125 towards a Violence against Women and Girls worker that will be based within its Women’s Centre, which offers support, triage and wrap around support to women who have complex needs in addition to their experiences of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Gloucestershire Counselling Service will be able to allocate £4,342 towards the extra cost of coping with the increased demands on its services where counselling of victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse victims increased from 643 sessions in July 2020 to 912 in July 21.
Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said, ““As referrals increase and resources are stretched, this funding is excellent news for both the organisations that provide support and the victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence in Gloucestershire.
“Whilst I am glad my office has been able to help these organisations through the bidding process, I am saddened that many others were less fortunate as the number of good quality applications far exceeded the funding that was available”.