Victims’ services across West Yorkshire receive £3.3million cash boost

1st March 2022

Victims of crime will be further supported with the £3.3million, specifically aimed at bolstering local support services.

The cash, allocated from the Ministry of Justice funding will enable the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, to provide, or commission dedicated emotional and practical support services for victims of crime to help them cope.

The money has been allocated to 22 different service providers, including 15 voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, five local authorities and two hospital trusts.

Tracy said: “This money will ensure that we can provide around 50 different support roles and services for victims and survivors of crime across West Yorkshire.

“Specialist support services for female, male, children, young people including those from Black and Minority Ethnic communities and those with complex needs will be funded.

“We take a victim centred approach in West Yorkshire and this money ensures the crucial work we are doing with our commissioned groups can continue.

“It strengthens the work we are doing at our Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) facility and will see victims and survivors receiving an enhanced level of support moving forward.

“Alongside the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, I will continue to work with police, partner agencies, victims and survivors ensure we delivers for those who are most vulnerable, putting them at the heart of our response.”

Over £1m of the funding is specifically for Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVA) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVA), who provide tailored and specialist assistance for those who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Victim Support, who support victims and witnesses of crime, have received funding as have Restorative Solutions, who empower victims of crime by giving them the opportunity communicate with the person responsible. For a full list visit https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/policing-and-crime/commissioning/

Anyone being referred into the ISVA service is given access to both male and female ISVAs and have access to a service that is trauma informed and accredited to work and also support male victims of rape.

Those providing victim and survivor support services, for Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), domestic abuse and sexual violence, are also receiving funding.