The Mayor of London has opened the latest round of funding to support victims and survivors of violence against women and girls.
Grassroots organisations are invited to apply for funding through the Mayor’s VAWG Grassroots Fund.
The money will help provide thousands of women, children and families with access to legal advice, counselling, emergency housing and other key services.
Through its first two rounds of funding, the VAWG Grassroots Fund has already directly supported 57 organisations and over 56,800 women and girls and families from minoritised communities.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Victims and survivors of violence against women and girls deserve the highest level of support to help them recover, and rebuild their lives. That’s why, as part of my new strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, I am investing more than £6million into grassroot organisations that are rooted in and led by the communities they serve, through my VAWG Grassroots Fund.
“Our funding has already helped over 56,000 women, children and families receive vital help such as legal advice, counselling, emergency housing or any other key services. I’m determined to ensure that we continue this funding for grassroot organisations so that any woman, from any background has the help they need. Today I’m inviting grassroot organisations to apply for a grant so that we can support them carry out their life-saving work.
“As we continue to work together to tackle the epidemic of VAWG, including its root causes to build a safer London for everyone, I look forward to working closely with the Government, the Met police and grassroots organisations across London to do even more to support the most vulnerable in our society and help them access the one-to-one help they desperately need and deserve.”
London’s Victims’ Commissioner, Andrea Simon, said: “As Victims’ Commissioner, I see first-hand the transformative impact of specialist, grassroots organisations in the lives of women and girls who have experienced violence and abuse.
“These organisations are rooted in the communities they serve. They understand the barriers women can face in seeking help and they are able to provide support that is culturally responsive to women's individual needs. For many, these organisations are a lifeline, and the only trusted route to safety and recovery.
“This is why the Mayor’s VAWG Grassroots Fund is so important, providing grassroots organisations and community groups across London resources to continue their vital work. I look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor to ensure every survivor can access the specialist support they need.”
