Launched in 2018 in the wake of the #Metoo movement, the fund was created in collaboration with TIME’S UP UK. It aimed to help end the culture of impunity, sexual harassment and abuse in workplaces and communities across the UK.Working collaboratively with the women and girls sector, the Fund was designed to resource an expert network of advice, support and advocacy organisations working with women and girls.Over 400 donors contributed £2.9m to the fund, including Emma Watson and Comic Relief, who donated $1m and £1m respectively.
In total, 59 grants were awarded – totalling £2,543,672. Grants ranged from £2,000 to £200,000 and supported a huge spectrum of work, from specialist organisations providing emotional support to survivors of sexual harassment and abuse, to a network of organisations influencing legislative change.
The fund resulted in extraordinary achievements including:
- A new specialist legal advice line supporting women across England and Wales affected by workplace sexual harassment.
- Sexual harassment awareness work and training for over 9,000 police professionals.
- Major legislative change which places a mandatory duty on employers to help prevent sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace.
- The first rape crisis service in Northern Ireland for over a decade.
- A new resource hub developed to support university students and staff to prevent and tackle sexual misconduct in higher education settings.
Dame Heather Rabbatts, Chair, Time’s Up UK says;
“Times Up UK has always worked in partnership and collaboration with other women and girls organisations working on the frontline challenging violence against women. Raising these funds was one of our first initiatives and this report exemplifies how collectively we can make a difference.”
The Compass Centre says:
“ This funding enabled The Compass Centre to support and facilitate the already-existing appetite of Shetlanders, particularly young Shetlanders, to challenge gender-based violence in their communities. This led to high-profile campaigns led by young people themselves, including some picked up by national media as well as local, and the creation of positive relationships with key local partners that we still maintain today. The number of people seeking support from The Compass Centre has increased by 90% (51 to 97) since this funding was received, and that can’t be separated from the continued impact of this funding.”
Rebecca Gill, CEO of Rosa, says:
“Rosa was honoured to guide the creation and delivery of the fund, and we have been delighted to see how the women and girls sector have responded. Women’s and girls’ organisations have always been the driving force for positive change in women’s and girls’ lives, and the Justice and Equality Fund shows what happens when they are trusted and funded to do the work.”
Rosa is deeply grateful to the women from Time’s UP UK and across the women and girls sector who provided their time and expertise to help design and deliver the fund. We would also like to thank donors for their investment. The achievements of the Justice and Equality Fund prove that, with targeted resources and support, women’s and girls’ organisations have the power to create real and lasting change.
Read the reports here