Young Women’s Housing has received £8,500 from the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Grant Scheme.

The organisation based in Sheffield received the funding to work with women who are victims of sexual abuse.

Jo Meagher, Project Manager of Young Women’s Housing said:  “Young Women’s Housing Project are dedicated to offering support to victims of sexual abuse, violence and exploitation and prioritise work with high-risk clients.  We identify and target individuals at risk for more intensive interventions”.

“This funding from the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner will help our practitioners to address the incidence and impact of sexual abuse, violence and exploitation. The grant supports our ‘Protect Yourself’ programme, which is designed to encourage victims to gain strategies for keeping themselves safe and developing healthy relationships”.

“We will now be able to increase the capacity for specialist independent sexual violence advice in South Yorkshire particularly Sheffield.  Supporting victims to navigate the judicial system; and working alongside the Police and CPS to secure more successful outcomes for victims.”

Young Women’s Housing Project Sexual Abuse Support Service provides specialist support and safe accommodation for young women aged from 15-years to 24-years affected by sexual abuse, sexual violence, intimate partner abuse and child sexual exploitation.

The project was established in 1984, gaining charitable status in 1988 they are one of the only specialist projects in the UK providing both safe places to live, and specialist therapeutic services.  Each year they receive 120 referrals for support with most having multiple risk factors including homelessness, mental health needs and substance misuse issues, which put them at additional risk of becoming victims.

Dr Alan Billings said: “I have been to visit Young Women’s Housing Project a couple of times and have seen for myself the delicate work they do offering  vulnerable young women a place of safety and helping them understand how to have a healthy relationship with a partner.  I hope this funding helps with the work they do in educating individuals at risk of sexual abuse.”

If you would like more information on the Young Women’s Housing Project, you can visit their website on http://www.ywhp.org.uk/