Powerful campaign supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence funded by West Yorkshire Mayor

23rd September 2022

A charity campaign to help encourage victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence to seek help has received funding from West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.

The Bradford-based Staying Put charity has received £5,500 through the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund, to create a series of short films that draw upon the lived experience of Jo, a survivor of domestic abuse who was supported by the charity to leave an abusive relationship.

The recently launched videos deliver three key messages: that violence against women and girls is wrong, support is available for those in need, and it has a great impact on the lives of the victims and survivors and the wider community.

The charity provides support and recovery services for all victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence across the Bradford district.

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said:

“The safety of women and girls is one of my top priorities, which is why it sits right at the heart of our Police and Crime Plan.

“The Safer Communities Fund is helping us to achieve our aim of a safer West Yorkshire for all.

“I’m delighted to support yet another vital project within the community to help achieve this goal.”

West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE, visited the charity to see first-hand the services they provide to victims and survivors across Bradford.

Speaking at the visit, the Deputy Mayor Alison Lowe said:

“Hearing about the key work being done to support victims and survivors just shows the difference the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund can and does make.

“Drawing upon lived experience, as Staying Put’s videos and work demonstrates, resonates and reaches people in an impactive and meaningful way.

“I sincerely hope that the powerful messages in the videos will affirm to all victims and survivors that help is available, and they will be heard.”

Yasmin Khan, CEO of Staying Put, said:

“Domestic abuse is a gendered crime. 95% of our clients are female, and that is why support from the Mayor of West Yorkshire about violence against women and girls is so vital to our work.

“The money we received from the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund has gone towards creating highly impactful videos to help raise awareness and to provide practical safety tips and advice as well as supporting our early intervention to prevention approach.

“We are incredibly grateful of the support that Mayor Tracy Brabin and Deputy Mayor Alison Lowe have shown us, and we look forward to continuing a supportive relationship in the future.”

The Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund supports organisations across West Yorkshire with money to deliver localised projects that will make the region safer.

The fund originates from money recovered from criminals by West Yorkshire Police and prosecutors under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Each of these projects must address one of the priorities or cross cutting themes of the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan, including keeping women and girls safe, and supporting victims and witnesses and improving criminal justice outcomes.

The Mayor’s first grant round supported 39 groups with investment totalling over £200,000. Other funded projects aiming to tackle violence against women and girls include a moving play addressing sexual harassment, an education and leadership programme for vulnerable mothers, and a free self-defence class for women.

Find more information about Staying Put and the support available on their website www.stayingput.org.uk or by calling 0808 2800 999.