Funding lifeline secured to support survivors of sexual violence in Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire police and crime commissioner Paddy Tipping successfully applied to the Ministry of Justice's new £2million fund in February to support the services of his award-winning Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) and Children's Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (CHISVAs) until 2022.

The funding amounts to £109,375 for 2020-21 and a further £109,375 for the following year, which will cover the cost of a new full-time equivalent ISVA and new 1.5 full-time equivalent CHISVA positions.

ISVAs provide much-needed informational, practical and emotional support and advocacy for sexual violence survivors.

Included in their work is supporting victims and survivors through the criminal justice system and resolving practical problems with housing, schools or employers which have arisen as a result of their experiences of crime.

Mr Tipping said: "This is really positive news for our existing ISVA and CHISVA services which offer a lifeline for vulnerable adults and children and play an instrumental role in their recovery from trauma.

"Nottinghamshire is at the forefront of national efforts to advance the care of victims of sexual violence and I am determined to ensure the very best support and attention is available to all survivors from the earliest opportunity.

"I'm pleased that Nottinghamshire has once again impressed on a national platform with its vision and ambition. The MoJ praised the high quality of our proposal and our ability to demonstrate a good understanding of the support landscape, the challenges and the unmet need.

“However, we will not rest on our laurels and will continue to do everything possible to ensure specialist help is available how and whenever it is needed."

The police and crime commissioner was one of just 15 nationally to successfully secure the funding, which forms part of his continued drive to increase support for sexual violence survivors in Nottinghamshire.