Nottinghamshire domestic violence services get £370,000 emergency funding from PCC as calls for help soar

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Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping has issued emergency grants to 16 charities and social enterprises after securing £369,960 from the Ministry of Justice.

It comes on top of the £584,468 already distributed to domestic abuse and sexual violence services in the summer from the first round of Government grants

Mr Tipping said: “Domestic abuse providers across the UK have faced immense strain during the health crisis with soaring calls for help and practical barriers to normal service delivery.

Organisations helping victims of domestic abuse and violence have seen a surge in calls for help during the pandemic.

“Lockdown restrictions have placed many victims at increased risk of harm and providers have been working very hard to adapt the way they provide care to ensure help can be accessed safely and easily so that nobody suffers in silence.”

He added: “I've been really impressed at the flexibility and resilience of our partners in responding to the challenges brought by COVID-19.

“There is an expectation that many more people will require recovery support when life returns to some level of normality and it is absolutely vital there are services there, ready and fully equipped, to provide that help.”

Organisations can use the grants up to March 2021 to fund additional equipment for remote working, increased staff time to deal with rising workloads, publicity and campaign materials, and office adaptations to allow safer services.

Among those benefitting from the second phase of funding are Juno Women's Aid, Nottingham Women's Aid, Nottingham Muslim Women's Network, and Broxtowe Women's Project.

Juno chief executive Yasmin Rehman said: “2020 has been an unprecedented year and the effects will be felt for many years to come.

"We are incredibly grateful for this funding, which will help ensure we can continue to support the increasing number of women, teens and children living with and experiencing domestic violence and abuse.”

Chris Harris, of Broxtowe Women's Project, added: “The emergency funding has been a lifeline to a small charity like ours.”