PCC announces new money for child victims

Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez is giving eight local organisations new money to help child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.

Each will get a share of £140,000 provided by the Ministry of Justice to ensure practical and emotional support to victims.

The awards have been made to:

Children’s Society
Devon Rape Crisis
North Devon Against Domestic Abuse
Tor Support
Victim Support
Spiral Pathways (collaboration involving CLEAR (Cornwall), Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, and Cornwall Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre)

The decision to award funding to these organisations recognises that, having become victims of sexual abuse and/or exploitation, children and young people are facing increased waiting times to access therapeutic services.

“It is my intention that this funding will be used to provide direct support for our most vulnerable children and young people to help them cope and recover from the trauma of their experience,” said Ms Hernandez.

“It will help reduce waiting lists and extend the help provided by existing services.”

The process attracted fourteen applications from a range of organisations, with bids totalling over £575,000.

Having completed an initial evaluation of applications, consultation took place with relevant partners to seek their views and ensure there was no duplication of effort in commissioning similar services.

“Ideally we would have liked to support all the applications received,” said Lyn Gooding, partnership officer for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), who was responsible for administering the process

“All were worthy of investment. However, with limited funding, the decision was made to prioritise those applications that helped address the increase in waiting times.”