PCC Secures Additional Second Round of Funding from the MOJ for Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Support Services

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, has secured an extra £60,434 on top of the earlier £189,000 this year from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Covid-19 Extraordinary Fund, to support domestic abuse (DA) and sexual violence (SV) charities in Cumbria who may be struggling to keep their services running during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This additional £249,434 boost will help to support female and/or male victims, adults and children who have experienced DA or SV at any point in their life. The extra funding will also help organisations and charities to meet the additional costs they have incurred during the pandemic or will incur whilst adapting their services to cope with demand increases resulting from it.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall said: “It has been vital that we secured extra funding so that we are able to offer the best support to local people during Covid-19 pandemic.

“Thanks to this additional funding we secured from the MOJ, victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence have been able to access specialist services to help them on their path to recovery and, hopefully, freedom from future abuse.

“Unfortunately, we have seen a rise in domestic violence during the pandemic and victims need help from the Police and domestic abuse charities now more than ever.

“That’s why the MOJ funding was so vital – by receiving this funding, we are able to keep these services up and running at a time that they are needed the most, especially over the Christmas period and months that follow.

“I am proud that we were able to bid and win this second round of funding and I want to say thank you to all the services across the county that help these men, women and families who are most in need. I know they will keep up their great work.”

“I want to reassure anyone who is in an abusive situation or relationship that you do not need to suffer in silence. I would always urge anyone to report abuse to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency, but I understand that not everyone wants to do this.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Holden, Head of Crime and Safeguarding at Cumbria Constabulary, said: “The Constabulary welcomes the announcement that further funding has been secured for charities in Cumbria which provide vital support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

“The Constabulary works closely with the charities who are set to benefit from the additional funding and I am sure that this will make a real difference to the people they engage with.

“I would encourage anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse or has been victim to an incident of sexual violence to please report this to the police. Our officers are on hand to investigate any crime committed and safeguarded any person impacted by any form of domestic or sexual abuse. Please also get in touch if you have concerns for someone you know who may be victim to such incidents.”

The fund has been divided between the following applicants:

£13,575.06       The Well Communities CIC

£12,912.64       Restorative Solutions

£7,566.00          The Birchall Trust

£14,101.20       West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support Group

£12,280.00       Gateway 4 Women