North Cornwall MP Scott Mann has welcomed the announcement that a Cornish charity which helps female victims of rape and sexual abuse will get £180,000 from the Government’s ‘Tampon Tax’.
Altogether, £12 million will be distributed to 70 organisations by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The money comes from proceeds of VAT that is levied on sanitary products, dubbed the ‘Tampon Tax’.
This includes the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (Cornwall) which runs helplines and support networks for women who are victim to rape, sexual abuse or domestic abuse.
Scott Mann said:
“I’m very pleased to see this money coming to Cornwall to help victims of sexual or domestic abuse.
“On top of the £12 million that is being dispersed from the Tampon Tax, the Government is introducing new legislation to tackle stalking and different forms of awful abuse that people suffer.
“The Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre does vital work in supporting victims in Cornwall and I’m very pleased that they have been given this money.”
The Tampon Tax Fund was created after calls were made to scrap the five per cent VAT that is levied on sanitary products. Under European Union rules, the Government cannot get rid of the tax. Instead, it pledged to divert the funds to women’s charities.
Minister for Civil Society Rob Wilson said:
“From Cornwall to Dundee, the Tampon Tax Fund continues to benefit organisations in every corner of the UK working to improve the lives of disadvantaged women and girls, including those who’ve been affected by violence.
“This Fund is helping to improve lives, supporting our ambition to create a fairer, shared society for everyone. I’m glad that so many worthwhile organisations will benefit from this money.”
MP for Truro & Falmouth and Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism Sarah Newton said:
“Violence against women and girls shatters lives and these projects will provide even more vital support to victims.
“The Government is determined to end this abhorrent abuse and recently announced the introduction of stalking protection orders, set out plans to work towards a new Domestic Violence and Abuse Act and increased funding for tackling violence against women and girls to £100 million. But there is always more to do and the additional tampon tax money will provide a further lifeline to those at risk of domestic and sexual abuse, so-called ‘honour-based’ violence and stalking.”
The website for the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (Cornwall) can be found here https://www.wrsac.org.uk/