The fund forms part of the city council’s commitment to a safer Plymouth and recognises that tackling violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence is everyone’s business. 

In recent years the tragic cases of Bobbi Anne McLeod, Kerry Power and the five victims of the Keyham shooting have all provided stark evidence of the need to take urgent action now.

In developing its strategy, Plymouth’s Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Partnership Board drew on the accounts of more than 150 people with lived experience of VAWGDASV, as well as the knowledge and experience of agencies and organisations working in this field.

The board also commissioned a survey in Plymouth which found that 49 per cent of respondents had experienced some level of harm/abuse and/or inappropriate behaviour whilst at home. And nearly 40 per cent had experienced unwanted sexually explicit online comments, emails, messages or images.

This new funding is ring-fenced for community organisations whose work supports the Plymouth VAWGDASV strategy. This includes increasing the safety of women and girls in the city, support and services to adult and child survivors of VAWGDASV and interventions which engage with those who harm.

The fund is available through Devon Community Foundation’s Small Grants application process, which is open to grassroots organisations across Devon working to strengthen communities and tackle inequalities.