Residents to help end violence against women and girls in Southwark

In the first ever scheme of its kind, Southwark Council is urging residents and groups with ideas to help tackle violence to come forward and turn them into reality. It is estimated that 3000 women and girls are victims of violence each year in Southwark, although the true extent of the problem could be much larger.

Community grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available for local projects following funding from the Safer Southwark Partnership and Home Office, and will be awarded following presentations to members of the public. A total of £25,000 will be available and projects will be expected to run before the end of March 2012.

How to apply

Those interested have until the 14 March to apply, and the decision day event will follow on 26 March, when applicants will be invited to present their project ideas and local people will get the chance to participate in the process to decide which projects they want to award the funding to.

Cllr Richard Livingstone, cabinet member for community safety, said "The council does not by any means have a monopoly on the best ideas, getting the community involved in the decision-making is the ultimate in handing power to local communities to help tackle problems in their own areas. I hope lots of people and groups with the passion and ideas to help tackle such a difficult issue will apply, and equally residents will be keen to take part and help choose the best scheme to make their community safer."

Tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls is a key element of the council's Safer Southwark Partnership rolling action plan and the recently agreed violent crime strategy.

Cabinet member for children's services, Catherine McDonald, added "This scheme sends out a strong message that violence against women and girls is totally unacceptable. We believe that, with everyone's help, we can ensure support for victims and begin the long-term task of preventing violence before it begins. We are absolutely committed to ensure every victim in Southwark has access to the support she's entitled to".

Further information

Find out more information about the community grant scheme, what can and can't be funded and applying online.  services available for women and girls in Southwark who are affected by or a victim of violence.