Funding increased for victims of rape and sexual abuse
The Government has announced that it is increasing the grant for rape and sexual abuse services by ten per cent when five police and crime commissioners (PCCs) are handed full control of devolved funding.
The five PCCs who will have commission control for their local areas are Greater London, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hampshire and Nottinghamshire.
The allocation has been increased to £24 million over three years, and specialist service providers will compete for funding, instead of the one-year grants they received previously.
Specialist rape and sexual abuse services, including rape support centres, across England and Wales will receive an extra £800,000.
The dedicated services offer advice, support and counselling and with 150,000 sexual assaults recorded in 2017 it is much needed funding, the Government claimed.
Edward Argar, the Minister for Justice said: “Rape and sexual violence are devastating crimes, so I am encouraged that more victims are coming forward to get the support they need.”
He added that the provision of the increased and longer-term funding will enable victims to access crucial practical and emotional services.
Dame Vera Baird QC, Victims Lead for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) said: “I welcome the ten per cent increase, and it is particularly positive that funding for rape support will now be for a three-year period.
“Longer-term funding will provide these vital organisations with the stability they require, and free them from the burden of making fresh bids each year, so they can devote their time and resources on better serving victims.”
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping added: “This is positive news for victims of sexual violence in Nottinghamshire and will give us the flexibility to procure services which address key areas of recovery while also making the whole process of accessing help easier.
“From past experience, we know victims of sexual violence can sometimes find it difficult to navigate the many layers of help available and this announcement will help us to achieve consistency by bringing all partners into a single model of recovery care.
“I am very encouraged by the Ministry of Justice’s decision to select Nottinghamshire as a pilot area. We have a strong record of delivering high quality support to victims of sexual violence and I’m proud our approach has gained national recognition.”
