MAYOR OF LONDON
New funding will contribute to the tackling of violence against women and girls.

A campaign tackling domestic abuse has received funds to offer services across London.

The funding from the Mayor of London’s Office for Policing and Crime will see The Drive Project expanded across London.

It will work to directly challenge domestic abuse offenders to change their behaviour and attitudes.

Kyla Kirkpatrick, the campaign’s director, said: “Responding effectively to high-harm, high-risk and serial perpetrators of domestic abuse is vital to the safety and freedom of victim-survivors, and to stopping the cycle of domestic abuse for good.”

Delivering the project will be done in collaboration with Rise Mutual, a staff-led initiative that designs and delivers behavioural change programmes and new approaches.

The two organisations will be working with local police and social services.

The project, which was initially trialled in Croydon, has demonstrated promising results, following a review by the University of Bristol.

It found sexual abuse reduced by 82%, harassment and stalking behaviours reduced by 75%, and jealous and controlling behaviours reduced by 73%.

Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime said:

“The Drive Project has proven its effectiveness in reducing the risk of harm posed by perpetrators of domestic abuse in South London and I’m delighted we are now able to roll it out across the whole of London.”

According to data from the Metropolitan Police, one in four women will experience domestic violence, with the most recent data showing a 26% increase in domestic abuse cases in the last five years, mirroring a trend across the UK.

Women who have experienced abuse from a partner are almost three times more likely to attempt suicide as a result.

Preventing and reducing domestic abuse is a key priority in the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan, specifically the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy.

Aims include preventing and reducing violence against women and girls, supporting all victims and survivors, holding perpetrators to account and building trust and confidence.