Eight charities across the region have been awarded funding from a £150,000 pot to help victims of crime.
The groups, from across the West Midlands, have been successful in applying to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victims Fund which will help those dealing with the impact criminal behaviour had had on their lives.
They include services which are linked to priorities within the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan, such as those helping victims of domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation, stalking, harassment, female genital mutilation, hate crime and modern slavery.
The funding is awarded as a one-off grant and is awarded to:
- West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network – to continue delivery of the role of an independent modern slavery advocate.
- Sikh Women’s Aid – to go towards a project that will address the underlying root causes of forced marriage and domestic and honour-based abuse.
- DORCAS – to go towards counselling and support sessions to help develop services further and offer more support to victims and raise awareness about Female Genital Mutilation.
- Gilgal Birmingham – to increase capacity to provide specialist complex needs and mental health support to meet the needs of women at the refuge.
- We are UK – providing a safe space digitally and face to face for women who have been subjected to domestic abuse.
- Phase Trust – to support guidance for children at risk of child sexual exploitation.
- Street Teams – to employ a part-time child sexual/criminal exploitation project worker to continue to support rising levels of referrals.
- Go Girl – to support girls and young women who are at risk or involved in child sexual exploitation, gang culture, county lines, and who have been affected by a parent/family member in the prison system throughout Birmingham and Solihull.
Victims’ Commissioner, Nicky Brennan, said: “Supporting victims of crime is my number one priority and it was humbling to read about the work of so many fantastic charities who do so much work throughout the West Midlands.
“We have a track record here of doing all we can to help victims and the funding will make a real difference to those who need it most.
“My vision is to ensure we are delivering high quality care and support services for all victims of crime, so we can reduce the harm caused by offenders.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster added: “We received applications from scores of worthy charities that are doing fantastic work across the region and narrowing the list down was a real challenge.
“One of my main priorities in my Police and Crime Plan is to help support victims and this £150,000 fund will go some way towards doing just that.
“The work being carried out by these organisations is vital and appreciated and I am delighted to help support them in this way.”
As part of the funding, the eight groups will be invited to attend outreach events, with shared learning and support for each other.
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