Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has announced the start of a new contract supporting adults, children and young people who are victims of rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse on the Isle of Wight.
The PCC has committed up to £474,130 of funding for a single all-age Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service that began on 1st October 2023 and continues to 31st March 2029.
It provides specialist emotional and practical support to victims and survivors of sexual violence irrespective of whether they have reported to the Police or not.
Targeted provision varies depending on individual cases and circumstances with benefits including advocacy, impartial advice, information on other services such as health and social care, housing or benefits as well as support if reporting to the Police from the initial stage, right through the criminal justice process and beyond.
It also supports children and young people who are victims of child abuse and exploitation, by working alongside communities and within schools to raise awareness of the support that is available.
PCC Donna Jones has said:
“When a crime is committed, it’s essential that victims receive the right support at the right time, irrespective of when the offence happened or when they feel ready to address the trauma they have experienced.
“I’m committed to standing up for victims of sexual violence, making sure their voices are heard, that their needs are at the heart of policing and criminal justice, and ensuring they have the right level of complete wraparound support.”
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The Commissioner had funded, in partnership with Isle of Wight Council, the Integrated Domestic Abuse and Sexual Crime service on the Island which began on 1st October 2018 and ended on 30th September 2023. The ISVA service was part of this provision, but is now a new stand-alone contract funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
PCC Donna Jones added:
“Sexual violence, in all its despicable forms, is completely harrowing so I’m making sure that exceptional support is always at hand, and this new contract continues to provide the much-needed haven for victims and survivors of sexual violence on the Isle of Wight.”
The new contract was awarded to Hampton Trust, the current providers.
The Trust’s Isle of Wight ISVA Service Manager Deborah Gearing said:
“Over the last 12 years, we have worked extremely hard to build a well-established service and we will continue to provide and deliver this vital and valuable provision, ensuring all survivors of sexual abuse receive the appropriate support they deserve.
“Our team of specially trained ISVAs are extremely passionate, and are dedicated to making a difference to people’s lives giving them the opportunity for their voices to be heard.”
Superintendent Rob Mitchell, Isle of Wight Area Commander, said:
“Rape and serious sexual offences are particularly traumatic for those affected, and I’m pleased that additional funding has been awarded to support some of our most vulnerable victims of crime.
“ISVA services provide an additional layer of independent support for victims at a very difficult time in their lives when they might not feel able to talk to Police.”
It’d be more beneficial if the police were given the time and resources to actually investigate these crimes properly.
Leaving a victim for almost two years with absolutely no progress despite the criminal being known to the police and the victim, and now almost 7 months without any update or communication from the police, is disgusting and unbelievably distressing- meanwhile our rapists and abusers are still out there, possibly (probably) ruining someone else’s life and leaving us to exist in a constant state of fear.
Perhaps some could go to educating judges when they hand out ridiculous sentences to convicted offenders “slap on wrist, injunction, stay away” protects nobody from a sexual predator male or female! “it’s time sentences reflected the victims ordeal! Oh no wait they can’t prisons are full once again this weekend, no space in Police cells either, so why bother sentencing g somebody to jail time when no jail available? Welcome to Tory Britain.
Investment in a diet book and a personal health and fitness instructor would serve you better!!
Good news. Definitely needed…