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More Support Centres For Victims Of Sexual Violence

24 November 2006

Victims of sexual violence will have greater access to immediate medical assistance and support thanks to over £600,000 funding for new specialist support centres, Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker announced today.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) are a one-stop location where victims can access support and health services, and undergo a forensic examination to contribute to a police investigation.

There are currently 15 SARCs and a further six under development, with the support of Home Office funding from 2005-06. Today’s funding will bring the total to 30 across England and Wales by April 2008.

Vernon Coaker said:

“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.

“The Government is committed to tackling sexual violence and tomorrow is International End Violence Against Women Day. We are currently working across Government on a range of proposals aimed at improving convictions in rape cases. We are also rolling out a network of new advisors whose job it will be to ensure that victims’ needs and safety are the top priority for all agencies within and outside the criminal justice process.

“Putting the needs of victims at the heart of the criminal justice system and improving the standard of care and support available to victims of sexual violence and abuse will result in more people having the confidence to come forward knowing that they will be dealt will professionally and with empathy, but also bring more perpetrators to justice.“

Over the past three years the Government has invested around £7 million in services for victims of sexual violence and abuse. This includes SARCs, specialist counselling services for victims of sexual violence and the rollout of a network of 38 Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs), professionally trained specialists who work alongside victims from the point of crisis throughout the legal process and beyond.

Notes to Editors

1. The Government invited bids for funding from partnerships of police forces, Primary Care Trust and voluntary organisations towards the development of a new SARC.
2. Grants totalling £620,000  will be awarded to partnerships of police forces, PCTs and voluntary organisations.  Six of these grants are for start-up costs for new SARCs, three are for further development work on plans for new SARCs and one is a top up grant, to bring the grant awarded to that area in a previous year in line with grants received by other areas:
3. The six new SARCs will open over the course of 2007-08.

   Area                                 Grant   Type of grant

4. Cardiff, South Wales         £70,000  New SARC
   Carmarthenshire              £70,000  New SARC
   Nottingham                      £70,000  New SARC
   Bristol                             £70,000  New SARC
   Aylesbury, Thames Valley £70,000  New SARC
   Barnsley, South Yorkshire  £70,000  New SARC
   Exeter, Devon                  £70,000  Development grant
   Truro, Cornwall               £70,000  Development grant
   Norfolk                            £40,000  Development grant
   Portsmouth, Hampshire     £20,000  Top up grant
   

5. Development grants were awarded to areas where work has begun on plans for a SARC, but where additional support is needed to enable all the elements of a SARC to be fully developed. We will be working closely with these areas to provide them with practical support as well as the financial support provided through these grants.
6. The Government is currently developing an action plan on sexual violence and abuse that brings together the measures underway and planned to prevent sexual violence and abuse, increase access to health and support services for victims, and enhance the criminal justice response to these crimes.
7. The funding for ISVAs was announced by Baroness Scotland in March 2006, PN046/2006.
   

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