Since 2021, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has provided funding for support services for victims, of domestic abuse (DA), sexual violence (SV), sexual exploitation (SE) and stalking.
These offences are collectively referred to as Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
The following providers are currently in receipt of grant funding for support services to victims of domestic abuse:
- Eva Women’s Aid
- My Sister’s Place
- Harbour Support Services
- My Sister’s Place
Eva Women’s Aid is currently in receipt of grant funding for support services to victims of sexual violence. Arch Teesside has a contract to provide services to the same group of victims.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is in receipt of grant funding for support services to victims of stalking.
A Way out is in receipt of grant funding for support services to victims of sexual exploitation.
All of these grants and contracts end on 31 March 2025.
The OPCC has started commissioning activity to assess needs as well as review the impact of current provision.
However, procurement activity and decisions on commissioning cannot start until the MOJ confirms funding for PCCs for the year 2025-26.
PCCs have been advised that MoJ funding will be confirmed in December 2024.
Following discussion with the PCC and Chief Finance Officer on 16 October 2024, it was agreed that the current grant and contractual arrangements across all VAWG victim services will be extended by three months. That means funding due to end on 1 April 2025 will now be extended to 30 June 2025.
The agreement was reached in the interests of continuity for victims and services, and to minimise disruption.
The extension will allow appropriate time for procurement activity to start after victims funding is confirmed for 2025-26.
This ensures current VAWG victim services can appropriately exit existing arrangements if necessary and, providing seamless continuity for victims accessing provision from 1 July 2025.
Decision 2024/25 – 013: Extension of funding for VAWG services (application, 811kB)