A proportion of funds seized by Devon & Cornwall Police from the Tate brothers is being used to help create a pioneering male allyship pilot to encourage men and boys to make a stand opposing violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The collaborative project has been developed and supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Almost £2.9m in assets from self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan was seized by police in 2024 and 2025 relating to tax and VAT evasion and money laundering offences.
The majority of the money from the successful civil case has been returned to the treasury, but a landmark ruling saw more than £1m given back to Devon & Cornwall Police which, in consultation with the Police and Crime Commissioner, has chosen to use it to support action against VAWG.
The newly formed Cornwall Male Ally Network (MAN) is one of a number of initiatives to benefit from the fund. Match funding of £50,000 is being provided by the OPCC for the pilot.
Cornwall MAN – currently in its early development phase – is an innovative, cross-sector initiative, which will focus on engaging men and boys as part of the solution to reducing violence and abuse.
Representatives from the steering group behind the project shared plans with The Queen, a long-standing advocate for survivors of domestic abuse, during an official visit to the Market House in St Austell last Tuesday, March 24.
Key partners in the group include the OPCC, Devon & Cornwall Police, Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF), Cornwall Council, Women’s Centre Cornwall, West Cornwall Women’s Aid, Barnardo’s and First Light.
The group explained to Her Majesty that a male allyship will be created by working directly within communities, including sports clubs, music spaces, and social environments, to support positive male role models, challenge harmful behaviours, and create safer environments for women and girls.
By focusing on prevention and early intervention, the project seeks to address the root causes of abuse and contribute to long-term cultural change.
The Queen showed particular interest in the project’s preventative approach and has asked to be kept updated on its progress.
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “Ever since my office hosted a ground-breaking disruptive VAWG ideas workshop last summer, attended by around 100 frontline professionals, we have been working with partners to develop the best projects which will create the biggest and long-lasting impact.
“One of those exciting plans is the Cornwall MAN pilot which although in its very early infancy, will radically tackle VAWG by men and boys stepping forward to become part of the solution.
“Nothing pleases me more than knowing that women and girls in Devon and Cornwall will benefit from the funds seized by the Tate brothers whose toxic and downgrading views have no place in society.”
Cornwall MAN will be formally launched during the 16 Days of Action domestic violence campaign in November 2026. The pilot will last for 12 months with an ambition to also expand it into Devon.
Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “Our work to seize these funds demonstrates our commitment to ensuring criminal activity does not benefit those responsible. We are proud to reinvest this money into initiatives that support victims and work towards preventing abuse in our communities with a particular focus on violence against women and girls.”
Kirstie Edwards, Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum engagement manager, added: “Every single day, women make automatic micro-adjustments to keep themselves safe, from the routes we take home to the precautions we build into our daily lives.
“If we want that to change, we have to shift the focus. Prevention means working with men and boys, challenging harmful behaviours and creating something better to step into. That’s exactly what this project is about.”
Further updates on Cornwall MAN will be shared as the project develops.