PCC to fund specialist sexual violence prevention programme

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has announced a new funding opportunity to support the roll-out of a training programme designed to protect young women and girls from sexual violence.

The PCC has allocated around £75k to help up to 40 organisations across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area to deliver the project. This innovative programme has been specifically developed to prevent and raise awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Community-based groups, grassroots organisations, charities and sports and youth clubs are invited to apply for a grant to cover the costs of the training package, support and guidance.

Mr Matthews said: "This is a great opportunity to join us in our efforts to protect the future safety of young women and girls.

"Nationally, VAWG crimes are increasing, with the risks of harm to young people especially becoming more complicated with the rise in digital technology.

"We are working hard to tackle the immediate threat by bringing more perpetrators to justice and increasing support for victims, but it is essential we double our efforts to prevent these crimes in the first place.

"I believe in reducing criminality through prevention, not sanction. Together with partners, we plan to target intervention as early as possible to reduce the risk of young people being harmed or committing these abhorrent offences in adolescence or adulthood."

Mr Matthews secured significant funding from the fifth round of the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund and has designated part of the grant towards this new VAWG initiative.

The PCC continues to work with the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) and other criminal justice and public sector agencies to tackle VAWG and recently oversaw the development of a new joint VAWG Strategy for 2024-2026.

This partnership has prioritised working with young people to prevent and raise awareness of sexual violence and is focusing work on young people between the ages of 10 and 19.

For more information and to apply for funding, visit the PCC's website at: https://www.leics.pcc.police.uk/VAWG-Funding-2024

The closing date for applications is 14th October at 5pm