Additional funding for domestic abuse and sexual violence services in County Durham and Darlington

In May 2020 the Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner received an additional  £400,000 from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to help services for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence continue todeliver support across County Durham and Darlington through the difficult circumstances created by the COVID 19 pandemic.

Twelve voluntary and community sector organisations who applied and met the specified criteria have benefitted from the funding which enabled them to continue their invaluable work until October 2020 by introducing different and innovative ways of working throughout the Covid-19 lockdown period.

An additional £124,000 has now been made available by the MOJ which will enable the Office of the Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner (ODPCVC) to provide further funding to these 12 services to ensure they can continue to deliver crucial services until March 2021. Services that have already and will continue to benefit from further funding include HALO, Durham Pride UK and Harbour.

In particular, the additional funding helps services to cope with extra demand, address any short-term financial loss due to the inability to maintain income generation and introduce creative ways of delivering support regardless of lockdown and social distancing rules and regulations.

Steve White, Acting Police, Crime & Victims’ Commissioner said “We are extremely grateful that these important services have continued to deliver support to some of the most vulnerable members in our community. I am delighted to be able to offer continued financial assistance to assist them through these very trying and uncertain times”.

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