Victims Care

Victims are at the heart of our response to sexual violence and we are working with the voluntary sector, police forces, and other local agencies on a number of initiatives to improve services for victims. Further details of the full range of work in this area is included in the Sexual Violence and Abuse Action Plan under objective one - increasing access to health and support services for victims.

The specialist sexual violence and abuse voluntary sector play a vital role in delivering services to victims of these crimes, as well as helping other agencies to improve their victim response. The sexual violence and abuse voluntary sector are supported by two main umbrella groups - The Survivors Trust and Rape Crisis. Further information about these organisations can be found through the links to external sites.

Stakeholder Advisory Group on Sexual Violence and Abuse

The stakeholder group undertakes an advisory role to the government in relation to sexual violence and abuse. They have replaced and built on the work which was formerly undertaken by the Sexual Assault Referral Centre Advisory Group. However, in addition to this other experts on sexual violence also attend this. The group:

meets on a quarterly basis and is chaired by two ministers: Vernon Coaker from the Home Office and Caroline Flint from the Department of Health,
acts as a consultative body to the Government on the development of policy and practice on sexual violence, including prostitution, in relation to policing and prosecution, support services, health issues, prevention and awareness-raising;
relays information to and seeks feedback from members’ respective networks;
provides a forum where members can discuss new developments on the ground, or raise concerns at an early stage.

The core group has representatives from the specialist sexual violence sector including voluntary organisations dealing with recent and historic abuse, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, key academics and organisations supporting vulnerable or hard to reach groups.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs)

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) are one-stop locations where victims can access support and health services, and undergo a forensic examination to contribute to a police investigation. There are currently 28 SARCs, with a further nine in development, with the support of Home Office funding over the last few years. We have recently launched the 2009/10 bidding round with up to £941,000 available to further support the expansion of the SARC network.

Sexual violence and abuse are some of the most damaging crimes and the standard of care and support a victim receives after an attack can be vital to their long-term recovery. Expanding the network of SARCs across England and Wales means that victims of sexual assaults can receive immediate medical help and counselling. Victims also have the opportunity to participate in the forensic examination process - vital in many sexual assault prosecutions - or provide evidence anonymously.

For further information on SARC funding please click here

For further information and location of SARCs please click here

Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs)

ISVAs work in partnership with Criminal Justice agencies, the voluntary sector and Victim and Witness Services. They provide support to clients, both those who access the criminal justice process and those who choose not to, helping them to live without fear of violence and access the services they need in the aftermath of the abuse they have experienced.

On 15 April, Vernon Coaker, Minister of state for policing, crime and security, announced a further £860,000 to fund ISVA services. This new funding will build on funding made available by the Home Office to support ISVAs over the past three years.

To apply for ISVA funding, please read the application information in full and complete the application form below. Forms should be returned to Carly McGurry in the Home Office Violent Crime Unit.

Click here to download the application form and here for the guidance.

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 25 MAY 2009

If you have any further queries, please contact Carly McGurry at the above address.

Victims Fund - supporting the sexual violence and abuse voluntary sector

We are also committed to increasing the capacity and stability of the Sexual Violence and Abuse Voluntary Sector to deliver services to sexual violence victims. For the past three years the victims fund has spent around £5.25 million and a further £1.25m funding will be available in 2007-08.

For further information please click here

An Evaluation of 'STAR' Young Persons Project

The STAR Project (Surviving Trauma After Rape) aimed to provide a specialist counselling and support service to young people who were recent survivors of rape and sexual assault aged from 14 to 16 years. This report focuses on the findings of a 2-year evaluation of this service and makes recommendations for future support services.

To view the document please click here

The commercial sexual exploitation of children and young people: An overview of key literature and data

This review provides an accessible review of information relevant to the commercial sexual exploitation of children and young people in the UK. The report examines 3 main areas: abuse through prostitution, abuse through pornography, and the trafficking of young people to and through the UK for commercial sexual exploitation.

For more information please click here

Links

Links to some of the organisations that are representatives of the Stakeholder Advisory Group for Sexual Violence and Abuse

Last update: Thursday, October 15, 2009

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