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Communities Minister Stephen Williams today (5 December 2014) announced the names of 17 frontline community projects that will receive a share of 拢270,000 to help end female genital mutilation (FGM) and 鈥榟onour鈥� based violence by creating a network of community champions.

Today鈥檚 funding demonstrates the government鈥檚 continued resolve to tackle these behaviours and practices and follows the pledge made at the recent International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women of a further 拢10 million to support women鈥檚 refuges in 100 areas across the country.

Projects supported across England

The money has been awarded to projects in those areas with greatest need. This is in line with recently published data from NHS hospitals showing there to be 3 times the number of reported cases of FGM in London, compared to the rest of the country. More than 70 groups applied for funding and in addition to successful bids received from London, projects in Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bristol, Essex, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and Rotherham will also be funded.

Communities Minister Stephen Williams said:

I first became aware of female genital mutilation when a teacher came to one of my MP surgeries and I was introduced to a group of girls who had decided to campaign against FGM. I was horrified at what I heard about this deeply embedded cultural practice. This practice has no medical benefits; indeed it results in great pain and distress as well as causing medical complications during child birth.

That鈥檚 why I am proud that this government is making good on its pledge at the International Girl Summit to invest in these valuable projects, which will change hearts and minds in local communities, train frontline workers and help bring an end to this terrible practice.

The funding will be shared by 17 projects across England 鈥� including 2 nationwide groups to create a network of community champions that will work to 鈥榗hange hearts and minds鈥� about female genital mutilation and 鈥榟onour鈥� based violence. The funded projects are:

Projects against female genital mutilation

• and 鈥� 拢40,000 鈥� a national charity to create a network of community champions to speak against female genital mutilation
• : FGM prevention in London - 拢5,951
• : FGM prevention in London - 拢13,867
• : FGM prevention in London - 拢7,000
• : FGM prevention in Essex - 拢4,680
• : Across the country - 拢19,807
• : FGM prevention in London - 拢11,572
• : The UK Fund for Women and Girls: FGM Website - 拢12,820
• : FGM prevention in Bolton and Greater Manchester - 拢16,172
• : FGM prevention in London - 拢17,967
• - 拢14,743
• - 拢9,992

Projects against 鈥渉onour鈥� based violence including forced marriage

• - 拢39,625 - a national charity based in London to operate as a community champion helping groups work together and share best practice and working with 8 other organisations.
• : so-called honour based violence prevention in London - 拢7,393
• : so-called honour based violence prevention in Nottingham, Bradford, Rotherham and Manchester - 拢14,910
• : FGM and so-called 鈥榟onour鈥� based violence prevention in Birmingham - 拢15,000
• : Forced Marriage Prevention based in Leeds - 拢18,500

Protecting victims and prosecuting offenders

The 拢10 million for women鈥檚 refuges announced in November will be available over this year and next 鈥� local authorities are invited to apply for funding to ensure the protection of refuges in their area.

Refuges are especially important in providing a safe haven for victims of domestic violence who, on average, make 32 attempts to leave before they finally escape.

Latest figures published by the Crown Prosecution Service show the conviction rate for violence against women and girls is at its highest ever level, reaching 74.6% successful outcomes in 2013 to 2014.

Police referrals to the CPS for charging decisions have also reached their highest ever levels, and prosecutions and convictions have both risen by over 10% in the last year. Sentence lengths for rapists have increased and 鈥榥o crime鈥� rates for rape have fallen year on year since 2010.

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Further information

At the International Girl Summit staged in London this summer, the government set aside 拢270,000 for community groups aimed at ending female genital mutilation and 鈥榟onour鈥� based violence.

More than 70 groups applied for funding. Those projects that were unsuccessful in this round will be offered guidance on the application process for future rounds.

On 25 November 2014 the government announced 拢100 million funding for refuges, and ministers wrote to England鈥檚 326 councils to remind them of their legal duty to house women and children who have been forced to flee their homes for fear of violence and abuse.

Councils have until Friday 16 January 2015 to bid, and can do so by emailing: [email protected]. 拢3million of the funding will be available in 2014 to 2015 with the remaining 拢7 million available from April 2015. Read the guidance on this website.

The government funds a UK wide database of domestic violence services which supports the national 24 hour free phone domestic violence helpline. This service enables those working with victims of domestic violence to identify appropriate services and potential refuge vacancies around the country so that victims can get the help they need as quickly as possible.