Support for survivors of sexual violence in Portsmouth extended

'VALUABLE' support for survivors of sexual violence in Portsmouth will continue, with funding of £105,000 pledged.
By Fiona Callingham
Published 17th Feb 2021, 13:09 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2021, 13:11 BST
Portsmouth council has pledged £15,000 a year to the independent sexual violence advocate service. Picture: PA WirePortsmouth council has pledged £15,000 a year to the independent sexual violence advocate service. Picture: PA Wire
Portsmouth council has pledged £15,000 a year to the independent sexual violence advocate service. Picture: PA Wire

Portsmouth City Council's community safety boss, Councillor Lee Hunt, approved the use of funds to extend the independent sexual violence advocate (ISVA) service for the next seven years.

The ISVA scheme, which is jointly funded by Southampton and Hampshire councils as well as the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, works with people who have experienced rape and sexual assault, whether or not they report a crime to police.

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Speaking at a virtual council meeting this week, Cllr Hunt, praised the service.

He said: 'The preference of having this done by people not in authority means individuals will find it easier to go to them and gain confidence to then report to the police what happened to them. I think doing it that way is much better.

'They have a whole wealth of experience .

'With the pandemic more people are indoors. Some of this happens indoors, behind closed doors. Sometimes we don't know about it until months or even years later. It's a valuable service.'

It comes as a report revealed 783 sex offences in Portsmouth were recorded by the police in 2019/20, and from 2014 to 2020 there was a 69 per cent increase in serious sexual assault.

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Opposition spokesman for community safety, Cllr Cal Corkery, added: 'I am sure we all recognise the importance of services like this that help the community and since lockdown has been in place I am sure we are all aware of reports and case work of residents needing this service.

'I think it's important to highlight some comments been made by a local campaigner, who has experience of using services themselves. Kirsty Mellor in the local paper (The News), in reference to this report, talks about the importance of the service.

'She said: "The work the IVSAs saves lives."

'I'd absolutely endorse this.'

SEE ALSO: More support for domestic abuse victims in Hampshire

There were an average of 149 ISVA service users in Portsmouth over the past three years.

The new ISVA contract will cost £310,800 per year with the annual contributions set as £15,000 from Portsmouth council, £30,000 from Southampton, £16,800 from Hampshire and £259,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioner.

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