£1.5 million awarded to region to tackle violence against women and girls
A share of more than a £1.5 million is being given to four projects across the region to help prevent and address violence against women and girls.
The projects are among 40 across England and Wales sharing £17 million of government funding, following successful bids.
The cash, announced by Home Secretary Amber Rudd today (5 July), will go towards a range of activities to support victims; work with perpetrators of abuse to change their behaviour; and to help children affected by what they have witnessed.
Specialist help will also be made available for the most vulnerable victims, including providing support for those with complex needs, such as substance misuse problems or poor mental health.
In our region, the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner's office was awarded £646,287 for it's programme which aims to develop domestic abuse practitioner standards, sexual violence witness advocates and a new response to cyber-stalking.
Durham County Council managed to secured £310,000 for their violence against women and girls programme. While, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner's office also had a successful bid, after being awarded £420,000. Their project aims to bring together disparate Sexual Abuse Referral Centres and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors services.
North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner's office was also given £150,000, to go towards providing Sexual Violence Advocates for victims and survivors of sexual violence.
Speaking after today's announcement at a Women's Aid Conference in Coventry, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said:
The funding has been awarded through the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Service Transformation Fund, which is designed to support earlier intervention and prevention so that fewer women reach crisis point.
Seventeen of the successful projects include working with perpetrators, including programmes with teenage boys to intervene early if they are exhibiting aggressive or worrying behaviour before it escalates into abuse.
The Home Office said that today's announcement demonstrates the government's "commitment to tackling violence against women and girls" and follows confirmation in the recent Queen’s Speech of the forthcoming Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill.
The Bill will include a new domestic abuse prevention and protection order, and enshrine a definition of domestic abuse in law. It will establish a Domestic Violence and Abuse Commissioner to stand up for victims and survivors.
The legislation will allow the Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention, which will enable UK courts to prosecute British citizens for domestic abuse regardless of where in the world the offence was committed.
The Bill will also ensure that if abusive behaviour involves a child, then the court can hand down a sentence which reflects the devastating and life-long impact that abuse can have.