South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner welcomes funding for victims of domestic abuse during coronavirus pandemic

The police and crime commissioner supports the government’s decision to invest £76m of extra funding to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, vulnerable children and their families during the coronavirus crisis.

Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) across the country will be responsible for distributing £20m of this investment to help to charities recover the costs they have incurred by adapting their services during the pandemic.

Domestic abuse services that are already commissioned by PCCs can bid up to £237,000 worth of funding to provide support for those in need.

Sexual violence services that are also already commissioned by PCCs but are not currently funded by them, can apply for up to £118,500 and domestic abuse charities that are not currently commissioned by PCCs can bid for £118,500 worth of investment.

Dr Alan Billings, Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire, said: “Whilst staying at home has been an important part of the strategy to prevent the spreading of coronavirus, for those people who are in abusive relationships being at home isn’t safe.

“In the early stages of this situation we saw a reduction in complaints of domestic abuse but we are now seeing these rising as people are trapped at home and becoming increasingly more vulnerable and at risk.

“I welcome this funding which will help vital organisations within South Yorkshire to provide services to protect victims and prevent perpetrators from exploiting lockdown to increase their coercive control.”

To be eligible for the funding, organisations must be a registered charity, a charitable incorporated organisation or a social enterprise.

South Yorkshire organisations who are interested in applying for some of this government funding are required to submit their bids by 23.59pm on June 1 through an application document which will soon be available on the PCC website.

Dr Billings added: “The timescale for this funding is very tight and we ask interested organisations to contact us as soon as possible in order for us to submit our application to the Ministry of Justice before the deadline.”