Charities that support victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse in Kent can now access an extra pot of money to support their services during lockdown.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Scott has been allocated an extra £624,000 to distribute to organisations whose services are in high demand.

Mr Scott said: "The Covid-19 outbreak has had a severe impact on local charities. Many of their normal fundraising activities are having to be cancelled at a time when more people staying at home means more vulnerable people at risk of abuse.

"The Government has recognised that local support services need extra support themselves right now and I am delighted to have been granted more than £600,000 for Kent. I strongly urge local groups, whether already receiving funding from my office or not, to complete the application form on our website."

The funding will be divided among three types of support services:

• Domestic abuse services the PCC already commissions: £312,000
• Domestic abuse services not currently commissioned by the PCC: £156,000
• Sexual violence services, whether already commissioned by the PCC or not: £156,000

While this money has been granted by the Ministry of Justice for specific services, Mr Scott says he is also planning to launch his own separate funding stream to support other organisations impacted financially by Covid-19.

He added: "Whether organisations have identified a need to create new services specifically to respond to Covid-19, or are having to spend money on things like IT to support existing clients remotely, I want to do all I can to help these groups - many of which rely on volunteers - to help others in these unprecedented times."

This comes as Morrisons announced it will also introduce support services for abuse victims from three of its supermarkets in Kent.

Charities and other eligible groups have until May 29 to bid into this pot of money.

For more information, or to make an application, visit the OPCC website.

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