Organisations providing support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence are being invited to apply for a share of a £300,000 fund to expand their work.

Rutland's Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach has been allocated an additional £302,209 from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to assist the recovery of victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Just under £200,000 will be shared among organisations supporting victims of domestic abuse while almost £83,000 will be designated to projects responding to victims of sexual violence.

The PCC, in conjunction with local services, also has the opportunity of securing further funding from the MOJ which has announced the availability of an extra £12m nationally for Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and Independent Domestic Abuse Advisors (IDVAs) this financial year.

Support providers are now being invited to apply for grants through the following funding streams: Sexual Violence Services, Domestic Abuse Support Services, Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and Independent Domestic Abuse Advisors.

The deadline for applications is 8am on Monday 22nd February 2021 and organisations are being urged to apply as soon as possible.

Willy Bach said: "Victims of crime are central to everything I do and I am determined to ensure survivors of these horrific crimes receive the help and support they need to start a new chapter. This funding will go some way to helping us meet the soaring demand for support during the pandemic and protect victims and families from further harm.

"We owe it to survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse to provide the very best care and emotional support available. Our army of support workers and volunteers work tirelessly to deliver help, often working under challenging conditions themselves during the lockdown, and I would like to thank them for their commitment and dedication."

The PCC is hosting two Microsoft Teams meetings on February 16th and 18th for organisations wanting further information.

For more information or to apply for funding, click here