Nearly £1.2 million awarded to sexual abuse support services in Avon and Somerset
The Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner has congratulated the alliance of services for the largest grant from the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund
Nearly £1.2 million has been awarded to a partnership of services across Avon and Somerset which help victims of sexual violence.
It is the largest grant of its kind awarded by the Ministry of Justice, and comes from the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund - part of the Government's commitment to quadruple funding for victim support services by 2025, compared to 2010 levels.
The successful bid was put together by an alliance, including SARSAS, The Green House and Kinergy along with SafeLink.
The Alliance - which also includes The Bridge Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), The Southmead Project and Womankind – provides a range of support to those who have experienced rape and sexual assault.
Deputy PCC Claire Hiscott has congratulated the partners of the Avon and Somerset’s Sexual Violence Therapies Alliance on the award, totalling £1,193,923.
She said: “A massive well done to partners from Alliance for receiving this MoJ funding; these organisations – individually and collectively – provide vital support to victims and survivors of sexual violence. Their work supports the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan priorities to tackle Male Violence Against Women and Girls and, of course, Supporting Victims of Crime.
“As commissioners, which is a group spanning health, police, criminal justice and local authorities, we all have a stake in securing the best outcomes for survivors of these crimes. I’m very proud of what the Alliance continues to achieve; the group has recognised their individual and collective strengths and have come together to offer a range of support to those who need it most.
“While the additional funding is very much welcomed and great strides are being made by the Alliance, it is important to recognise that there are still obstacles to overcome to offer the best support for victims including addressing waiting times and the short-term funding model. The PCC, OPCC and I will continue to work with local services, commissioners and Government to strengthen support provided to victims.”
The bid to the MoJ fund was supported by the co-commissioner of the local Alliance contract, led by NHS England and co-commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board and Bristol City Council.
CEO of SARSAS Claire Bloor added: “We are thrilled to have secured funding via the MoJ’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund.
"As a partnership, we are specialists in delivering expert support to victims/survivors grounded in and led by those with lived experience. These vital funds will allow our partnership to thrive, funding us to deliver trauma-informed, inclusive, and accessible services for survivors of all ages and genders across the region.
“Our services listen, believe and support, providing safe environments that prevent re-traumatisation where victims-survivors can safely disclose, explore, and understand their experience, enabling them to heal and progress in their lives.”
You can find out more about SARSAS, and seek help from the organisation, on their website.
MIND also provides support and advice for victims of sexual and domestic abuse, which you can find out more about here.
To find out about helplines in your region, visit the NHS Website.
Read more: Government announce £3.5 million to help sexual violence charities in the South West