Extra support for Portsmouth sex abuse victims with £250,000 funding boost
Nearly £250,000 is being poured into provide three independent sexual violence advisors, who support victims through the criminal justice process.
The three posts will cover Portsmouth, Southampton the rest of Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight and are funded for 2020-22.
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Hide AdBetween April and December last year there were 721 referrals for the service in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton.
The cash has come from the Ministry of Justice after a bid from Hampshire police and crime commissioner Michael Lane.
He said: ‘Whether recent or historical abuse, it is important that victims of rape, sexual assault and abuse feel listened to and receive practical, non-judgmental and compassionate support.
‘I am delighted that the additional funding will add much needed capacity to the ISVA service.’
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Hide AdCouncillor Lee Hunt, who oversees community safety at Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘This is good news.
‘We work with all our partners so that victims of sexual violence and their families know they will be helped from the moment they come forward through all the evidence gathering right through and beyond with one-to-one support and these three new posts will better enable that important work.'
Yellow Door provides the service in Portsmouth.
Tara Doel, from the organisation, said: ‘Yellow Door are very pleased to be awarded much needed additional funding towards our Hampshire ISVA service.
‘This funding will allow us to recruit additional ISVAs to work alongside our existing dedicated specialist team.’