Suffolk County Council announces £350,000 of funding to support Suffolk Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

Suffolk County Council has announced it will put in £350,000 of funding to support the work preventing violence against women and girls.

The funds will support the ambitions set out Suffolk Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2022 – 2025, helping to support victims, peruse perpetrators and strengthen the system.

Organisations will be able to apply for the funding to support initiatives that support the objectives of the strategy and aim to prevent violence against women and girls.

Cllr Bobby Bennett, Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities, and chair of the Safer, Stronger Communities Board said: "This funding cements our continued commitment to protecting our communities.

"Our focus for these projects is women and girls, due to the gendered nature of the crimes, but there is also scope to include projects to support men and boys as well as those that are transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming.

"This is a real opportunity to boost funding across Suffolk to harness creativity and innovation to help tackle this very important issue."

Organisations can make an application for funding for up to £5,000 for pilot projects and up to £50,000 for projects which have already been piloted. Grants are available for up to three years.

Andrea Pittock, Head of Grant Programmes for Suffolk Community Foundation, said: "We very much welcome this new initiative and the opportunity for us and the wider VCSE sector to work with Suffolk County Council and its partners to address this area of need.

"We look forward to seeing the impact of the additional services and support that this funding will enable."

Suffolk has launched its three-year strategy for Violence Against Women and Girls in line with the government's plan to reduce and prevent this type of crime, improve collaboration between services and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

The strategy has been prepared by the Safer Stronger Communities Board (SSCB), made up of representatives from Suffolk County Council, district and borough councils, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, community safety partnerships, health and probation services, the Norfolk & Suffolk Criminal Justice Board and Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.

The SSCB have shared a commitment to tackling the issue of violence against women, which includes domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, coercive and controlling behaviour, and revenge porn.

The fund will be in partnership and with Suffolk Community Foundation. Organisations wishing to make an application can do so by visiting the website, here.

For any questions email, grants@suffolkcf.org.uk or call 01473 602602.