Violence Against Women and Girls funding announced

Suffolk County Council has today announced £350,000 of funding to support the ambitions set out in the Suffolk Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2022 – 2025.

This fund has been provided by Suffolk County Council to support the work of the strategy in preventing violence, supporting victims, pursuing perpetrators and strengthening the system. 

Organisations will be able to apply for this funding to support initiatives that are synonymous with the objectives of the strategy and aim to stop 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.”

The fund is to be launched in partnership with Suffolk Community Foundation. Any organisations wishing to make an application can do so by visiting https://www.suffolkcf.org.uk/grants/violence-against-women-and-girls-fund/ questions can be directed to: grants@suffolkcf.org.uk 01473 602602 

Organisations can make an application for funding for up to £5,000 for pilot projects or up to £50,000 for projects which have already been piloted. These grants are available for up to 3 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 3-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 collaboratively by the Safer Stronger Communities Board (SSCB) – consisting of representatives from Suffolk County Council, district and borough councils, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk’s Police & Crime Commissioner, community safety partnerships, health and probation services, the Norfolk & Suffolk Criminal Justice Board and Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.

The SSCB have a shared commitment to tackle the incredibly important issue of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) which includes, but is not limited to, domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, coercive and controlling behaviour, and revenge porn – all of which have a devastating impact on victim-survivors, families, and communities.

The Strategy is available to view online at: Suffolk VAWG Strategy 2022-25