ORGANISATIONS across the region that support victims and survivors of “hidden” and harmful crime have been given a share of £100,000.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Simon Foster, has split the funds to help those who have lived through so-called honour-based abuse, female genital mutilation, modern slavery and human trafficking.
The PCC said the rights and welfare of victims was always his top priority.
He said he was delighted to be investing over a six-figure sum, spread across seven organisations that do vital work in the region.
Mr Foster added: “The rights and welfare of victims and survivors of crime, must always be a top priority.
“Here in the West Midlands, we do everything we can to support victims and survivors – and it is one of my top priorities in my new Police and Crime Plan.
“This funding will help support that, with a real focus on supporting victims and survivors of ‘hidden’ harmful practices.
“I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact the funding has, not only for victims and survivors, but also the positive impact it has on our wider community.”
Supporting victims is one of the PCCs top priorities and he appointed Natalie Queiroz as his Victims’ Advocate earlier this year.
The organisations awarded funding are:
- DORCAS – £15,500 for Female Genital Mutilation community support and therapeutic services.
- Sikh Women’s Aid – £19,900 for addressing harmful practices in the Sikh Punjabi community
- RSVP – £16,200 for The Red Project – supporting sex worker survivors of sexual violence, abuse and exploitation.
- West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network – £20,000 for essential in-community support for victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.
- Sundial Centre for Education on Harmful Practices – £6,500 for hidden harms web cafes.
- Sophie Hayed Foundation – £16,500 for long term freedom for survivors of exploitation in the Midlands.
- Social Orientation and Relief Association – £15,350 for empowering communities: awareness and prevention of FGM in the West Midlands.
