Funding boost for South West women's charity to help survivors of abuse
Trevi Women will receive £378,811 from the Government
More victims of crimes including domestic abuse, rape and other sexual offences will benefit from support designed to best meet their individual needs.
The Government has announced that up to £8.3 million will be provided to organisations across England and Wales to fund frontline and specialist support projects for victims and survivors over two years, including counselling, training and community outreach.
This is part of the government’s commitment to quadruple funding for victim support services by 2025 compared to 2010.
In total, 55 organisations will benefit from the funding, enabling them to continue their vital work with victims of abuse.
One these is South West-based women's charity Trevi Women, who are set to receive £378,811.
Since 1993, they have helped transform the lives of thousands of women and their children - from rehab and health to housing and employment.
They run three centres: Jasmine Mother's Recovery (formerly known as Trevi House), a residential rehabilitation centre exclusively for mothers and their children; a Sunflower Women's Centre offering wrap-around therapeutic support in the community; and the Daffodil Family Centre, a residential family centre.
Trevi is the lead partner for the Southwest Women's Spark Project, which aims to prevent women with multiple disadvantages being affected by violence and abuse.
They also run the Pause Plymouth practice, supporting hard-to-reach women who have had two or more children removed.
A £1.2 million training programme has also launched for Independent Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Advisors who provide emotional and practical support to victims. The government is funding 1,000 of these posts and the training to make sure these vulnerable victims get better help and stay engaged with the criminal justice system.
Minister for Safeguarding at the Home Office, Sarah Dines said: "I have heard first-hand heart-breaking stories of trauma endured by survivors of abuse and I know how important bespoke support which meets victims’ individual needs and circumstances is.
"We are proud that this funding will go to such a diverse range of organisations who really make a difference to the communities they serve."
Minister for Victims at the Ministry of Justice, Ed Argar said: "Victims and survivors have a range of different experiences and needs, so it’s vital we have a broad range of support services in place which can provide bespoke care.
"By and for services are a vital part of the support available to victims and survivors of crime, and this additional government investment in these services will have a real impact."
As part of the Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan, the government has committed a total of over £230 million from 2022-2025, including the Ministry of Justice quadrupling funding for victim and witness support services by 2024/25.
The new funding is just one part of the extensive work across government to improve outcomes for victims of abuse.
Earlier this month, all 43 police forces across England and Wales, and all rape prosecutors across the country, began implementing a new approach to dealing with rape and other serious sexual offences, ensuring forces conduct thorough investigations which put the focus on the suspect and centre the rights and needs of victims.
Known as Operation Soteria and previously piloted in 19 police forces and 9 Crown Prosecution Areas, the programme brings together police forces with academics, using evidence and new insight to enable forces and prosecutors to transform their response to rape and serious sexual offences.