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WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH SOME DOCUMENTS ON OUR WEBSITE. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.

Covid 19: Extraordinary funding for domestic abuse and sexual violence services

On 19 May 2020, the Ministry of Justice launched a £20 million COVID-19 extraordinary fund for organisations that support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) were asked to administer these funds at a local level on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

The money available in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly was assessed by the Ministry of Justice based on our local population size, and as a result £596,000 was made available for our area. This was ring-fenced (had to be spent) as follows:

Domestic abuse services that are already commissioned by PCCs

£ 298,000

Sexual violence services that are already commissioned by PCCs and those that are not currently funded by PCCs

£ 149,000

Domestic abuse services that are not currently commissioned by PCCs

£ 149,000

TOTAL

£ 596,000

 

How did the Police and Crime Commissioner decide on which organisations should receive the funds?

  • The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner had to follow a process which was set out by the Ministry of Justice.
  • Organisations were asked to submit a funding bid using the assessment criteria provided by the Ministry of Justice.
  • Each application was considered by a funding panel.
  • The panel used the eligibility criteria and an ‘assessment of need’ provided by each organisation on a case by case basis.
  • The panel was made up from; Commissioning Manager Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, a local Domestic Abuse Service Commissioner (Subject Expert on Domestic Abuse), a local Sexual Violence Service Commissioner (Subject Expert on Sexual Violence), a person with lived experience of service provision (Expert by Experience) and an independent panel member.

Which organisations did the panel select to receive some of the funds?

Which organisations applied but will not be receiving funds on this occasion?

 

On 18th November 2020, the Secretary of State for Justice confirmed a further £11 million was being made available to support victims of rape and domestic abuse during the winter of 2020/21. A top up Covid-19 grant funding was offered to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall for the amount of £187,665.40 for the period 1 November 2020 to 31 March 2021 inclusive. This funding was ring-fenced as follows:

 

Domestic abuse services that are already commissioned by PCCs

£ 52,030.00

Sexual violence services that are already commissioned by PCCs and those that are not currently funded by PCCs

£ 39,665.40

Domestic abuse services that are not currently commissioned by PCCs

£ 95,970.00

TOTAL

£ 187,665.40

 

 

A full local competitive process was not required to be completed this time, but the same eligibility criteria applied as per the first round of COVID funding. Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence support organisations in the local area were asked to submit information on additional funding needs due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Where possible, priority was given to those organisations most in need and the grant enabled the Police and Crime Commissioner to continue to provide and commission support services for victims and survivors of domestic and or sexual abuse during this time period.

 

The following organisations submitted requests and received a proportion of the funding:

 

 

 

 

On 1st February 2021, the Government confirmed a further £40 million funding for specialist services who support victims of rape and domestic abuse for 2021/22. To find out more please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-40m-to-help-victims-during-pandemic-and-beyond

 

Local allocations were calculated based on the previous Covid emergency funding distribution amounts. The uplift funding was ringfenced for SV and DA services only. As a PCC area, we conducted local needs assessments in order to distribute the funding we were allocated and this information was sent to the Ministry of Justice to allow them to understand the demand picture.   and funding plans for your area, as well as check that the criteria set out in the funding guidance has been met.

 

The following funding was ring-fenced in the Devon and Cornwall PCC area:

 

Domestic abuse services that are already commissioned by PCCs

£ 74,306.00

Sexual violence services that are already commissioned by PCCs and those that are not currently funded by PCCs

£ 106,172.00

Domestic abuse services that are not currently commissioned by PCCs

£ 124,925.00

TOTAL

£ 305,403.00

 

 

Organisations did not have to be currently or previously funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner to be eligible to apply, but they were subject to an eligibility criteria.  

 

How did the Police and Crime Commissioner decide on which organisations should receive the funds?.

  • PCC’s were asked to undertake an assessment of need in relation to both SV and DA support in their local area and to follow the Police and Crime Commissioner Funding Allocation Guidance.
  • Organisations were asked to submit a funding bid
  • Each application was considered by a funding panel.
  • The panel used the eligibility criteria and an ‘assessment of need’ provided by each organisation on a case by case basis.
  • The panel was made up from; Commissioning Manager Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, a local Domestic Abuse Service Commissioner (Subject Expert on Domestic Abuse), a local Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence lead (Subject Expert on Sexual Violence), and a person with lived experience of service provision (Expert by Experience)..

 

Which organisations did the panel select to receive some of the funds?

 

Which organisations applied but will not be receiving funds on this occasion?

If have or are experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence and are looking for information and support please visit the Victim Care Unit website. If you are in immediate danger please contact the police on emergency telephone 999.