Funding lifeline for domestic abuse support services in Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping has been provisionally allocated £390,000 from the Ministry of Justice as part of a £750m fund from the government to expand the services of domestic abuse and sexual violence support providers during the pandemic.

Grants are available to help organisations mitigate the increased costs of adapting services during the crisis and to cope with additional demand pressures.

Funding will be provided until October 2020 and to be eligible organisations must deliver specialist support services that are designed to help domestic abuse and sexual violence victims cope with the impacts of crime and recover from the harm they have experienced.

Since the national lockdown commenced, support providers across the country have reported significant increases in demand and calls for help.

Paddy Tipping said: "Covid-19 has presented us all with difficult and testing situations but far more so for vulnerable women, men and children who are living with abuse or the constant threat of violence.

"Opportunities to seek help or safety have been restricted during lockdown with victims confined with their abuser for weeks on end.

“Clearly, there has been a need to tailor support to reach the most vulnerable for whom there is nowhere else to turn.

"It remains my priority to ensure appropriate support and practical help is available to anyone who needs it and we are working hard to increase accessibility during the pandemic.

“I would urge any organisation who thinks they might be eligible to check and apply as soon as possible – the timescales are tight for this financial support and we will not be able to consider any late expressions of interest."

The deadline for applications is June 1.

For more information and to express an interest in funding, visit www.nottinghamshire.pcc.police.uk.