Norfolk’s PCC receives extra funding to support victims and survivors of Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse
More funding to help victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence has been secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk. The extra funding of £557,000 awarded by the Ministry of Justice is part of the Government’s strategy to provide longer term support for frontline service providers over the next three years.
Out of the Norfolk-based bids made, the following five organisations have been successful:
· Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA)
· The Sue Lambert Trust
· Norfolk Community Law Service
· The Magdalene Project
· Leeway Domestic Abuse and Violence Services for NIDAS (Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Service)
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Giles Orpen-Smellie, said: “This funding is so important for Norfolk and is very much welcomed. My office plays a vital role in commissioning services and awarding grants to ensure the criminal justice system puts victims first. Now more than ever we need to support victims, especially as some are having to cope with lengthy delays for court proceedings to take place. Providing meaningful support to victims is part of my Police and Crime Plan and will continue to be a top priority over the term of my office.”
Funding recipient Sue Lambert Trust is a Norfolk charity providing a kind, safe, non-judgmental, and supportive range of services for people who have experienced sexual abuse and sexual violence, including domestic abuse. Anyone can self-refer to start the process of healing, rebuilding, and recovering.
Sue Lambert Trust has been supporting people for more than 40 years. Their team listen, care and give people space and the professional support to begin healing.
The Chief Executive Officer for the Sue Lambert Trust, Clive Evans, said: “Sue Lambert Trust has been providing specialist therapeutic counselling and support work to our clients in Norfolk for 40 years and never has there been such a great demand. When people feel ready to talk about what’s happened, our team are here to listen, to help people heal and re-build their lives. This funding will enable us to employ an outreach worker who will work primarily with under-represented groups and communities as well as coordinating our peer led support groups.
“With around 40 victims of sexual abuse and sexual violence taking the brave step to reach out to Sue Lambert Trust every month, we want to be there for them as soon as we possibly can. But we cannot deliver our life-changing services without essential funding from organisations like the PCC, combined with generous donations from the public and fundraising efforts by our kind supporters.”
Norfolk Community Law Service is a local charity that provides access to free specialist legal services, for those with no means to pay. Their services cover debt, discrimination, domestic abuse, employment, family, immigration, welfare benefit appeals and other general civic legal matters.
Norfolk Community Law Service’s Family Service Manager, Tamsin Roques, said: “Access to Legal Aid for victims of domestic abuse has diminished significantly locally, at a time when demand is increasing. We are delighted to have been awarded a grant from the OPCC. Our service is quite literally a lifeline for victims of domestic abuse and this multiyear funding will help to secure its future.”
NIDAS, Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Service is a domestic abuse support service for those assessed to be at high or medium risk of harm. The service also offers dedicated support for children and young people, recovery programmes, coordinated multi-agency support, court support, a Domestic Abuse Champion network, and training for professionals, across Norfolk.
Chief Executive of Leeway and NIDAS Delivery Partner, Mandy Proctor, said: “We are very pleased to have been successful in securing additional funding for NIDAS, which Leeway is delighted to be involved in the delivery of.
“Whilst NIDAS is not even one year old yet, it is encouraging to see how well received it has been from professionals and survivors alike. Everyone at NIDAS is committed to ensuring that we deliver the best possible support for those experiencing domestic abuse, regardless of where they live in the county, and this additional funding will further strengthen our commitment to doing that. We thank the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk for their continued support and dedication to tackling domestic abuse in the county.”
A list of every application made can be found here: https://www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk/key-information/documents/