Thousands of people affected by crime across Cambridgeshire are set to gain greater access to counselling, mentoring and practical assistance following a £4.4 million Government funding
package covering the next two years.
The funding, provided through the Ministry of Justice and allocated to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner, will strengthen services supporting victims and witnesses across the county. Assistance will be available to people affected by a wide range of offences, whether or not they choose to report a crime to the police.
The investment will help fund emotional, therapeutic and practical services, with particular support directed towards people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones visited Peterborough on 30 September to meet survivors and staff working at the PCC’s Victim and Witness Hub and Peterborough Women’s Aid. During the visit, she heard about survivors’ experiences and saw how specialist services help people recover from trauma, regain confidence and navigate the criminal justice system.
“Meeting victim-survivors today and hearing first-hand about their experiences has been incredibly powerful,” Davies-Jones said. She also praised staff providing support to people recovering from traumatic experiences.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Victim and Witness Hub will receive more than £600,000 from the package. The service provides tailored assistance to victims throughout the county, including people who have not reported their experiences to law enforcement.
Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston said the visit highlighted the range of support available locally and stressed the importance of providing assistance when victims need it.
“Having access to locally based support at the right time can be truly life changing,” Preston said.
A significant proportion of the funding will be directed towards specialist services for domestic and sexual abuse. More than £2.4 million has been earmarked for such services, with Peterborough Women’s Aid receiving more than £180,000.
The Cambridgeshire allocation forms part of a wider £550 million Government commitment to victim and witness services across England and Wales over the next three years. The money is being distributed through Police and Crime Commissioner areas to strengthen support within local communities.
The Government has also allocated £8.7 million specifically to Rape Crisis England & Wales to maintain its 24-hour support line, offering confidential emotional support and a listening service to people affected by rape and sexual abuse.
A further £18.9 million will be invested in additional victim support, including a new free national helpline. Run by Victim Support, the service will provide information, wellbeing and safety advice and help victims connect with appropriate specialist services.
The Government says the broader programme is part of its efforts to improve support for victims, accelerate access to justice and reduce violence against women and girls.
Alongside the investment in victim services, ministers have also announced measures aimed at ensuring offenders convicted of particularly serious crimes remain in custody under forthcoming sentencing reforms. The Government has said prisoners convicted of offences including rape, manslaughter, death caused by dangerous or drink driving, and serious or historic child sexual offences will be excluded from the relevant release arrangements. Photo by Verbcatcher, Wikimedia commons.
