Nearly £50,000 secured for victims of sexual violence in Gloucestershire
It will be distrbuted to several charities and organisations
Nearly £50,000 has been secured to support victims and survivors of sexual violence in Gloucestershire.
£47,700 will be split between local agencies including Teens in Crisis (TIC+), Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Assault Centre (GRASAC), Gloucestershire Counselling Service (GCS) and the Nelson Trust.
It's come from NHS England NHS improvement to help them meet the sustained demand for their services following the pandemic.
The impact of the pandemic
Claire Power-Browne-, Director of Operations and TIC+, said: "We're always really grateful for continued funding as it makes a difference to us to know that we've got support and of course all of it will stay within Gloucesterhsire.
"We've seen a huge rise in referals to our services during the pandemic. At the moment we're just over a 20% increase on our figures from last year for the same period.
"That means for us this year we'll see well over 3,000 young people who need our help.
"What we're seeing is that young people and children who have lived through this trauma over the last 18 months and they're now just processing and and are trying to verbalise what it is they've experienced."
The money will be distrubuted by the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner
Organisations can spend the money in areas where demand is highest, to offer the most effective support to those who require their services.
Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said: “Tackling violence against women and girls is one of my top priorities. Alongside the new Flare Reporting app and enhanced police presence in the night-time economy, I also hope that the cultural changes we encourage today will create a safer Gloucestershire for women and girls in the future.
“However, I know this commitment will be little comfort for those who have already been the victims of severe and life changing trauma. Therefore, I hope this additional funding will provide those women with the support and care they might need.”
For more information on how to access support visit www.ticplus.org.uk**.**