THE OFFICE of the Police and Crime Commissioner has announced that contracts have been secured for new provisions for victims of crime.
The OPCC has announced that a number of organisations are set to bring a new string of services to help support victims of crime in Thames Valley.
Victim Support, a national, independent charity, has been selected to deliver adult services; Hope After Harm will deliver the sexual violence service; and SAFE! has been recommissioned to deliver their Children and Young People’s services.
The adult service will offer practical and emotional support to adult victims of any crime, delivered through online and telephone support as well as through specialist group work.
Digital services will be available at all times, with one-to-one support also available, as well as systems to help users register feedback.
The children’s services, aimed at supporting those aged 5-18, will include a range of services such as activity therapy and group activities alongside comprehensive digital support.
The sexual violence service will similarly offer one-to-one support with specialist independent sexual violence advisors.
They are set to begin on Monday, April 1, under the banner of Victims First.
The new contracts have been awarded for a three-year period with a capacity to be extended to up to five year contract, to a value of more than £10m.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: “Being a victim of crime can be a difficult and frightening time so it is important that victims have access to tailored and compassionate support to help them cope with the impact of crime and build resilience.
“From listening to victims to understand their needs we recognise the importance of specialist support. These new services will enhance the offer available to victims of all types of crime but changes in provision will also mean that support will be available to meet the specific needs of victims of sexual violence in addition to children and young people.
“I am pleased to be working with Victim Support, Hope After Harm and SAFE! to deliver accessible, high quality services to anyone needing support following a crime.”
Katie Kempen, CEO of Victim Support, said: “We are delighted and honoured that Victim Support has been commissioned to deliver the Thames Valley Adult Victim Services for the next three years (with the option to extend up to five years).
“This innovative new service, commissioned by the Police and Crime Commissioner, will provide victims with an exciting new method of support through group work that will help them to cope with the impact of crime and move forward in their lives.
“We are looking forward to building new relationships with the OPCC, commissioners, stakeholders and, importantly, victims throughout the Thames Valley area.”
Chloe Purcell, CEO of SAFE!, said: “We are thrilled to have been successful in our bid to run the Young Victim Service and to continue working alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner to improve the landscape for children and young people affected by crime in the Thames Valley.
“We have a shared mission to improve young people’s experiences through the criminal justice system, both in the provision of high-quality victim services but also through advocating for improvements to the wider system.
“This new contract offers SAFE! the opportunity to continue building on 15 years’ experience of providing services to children and families affected by crime and abuse, by creating new and varied support packages informed by young people.”
Nikki Ross, Chief Executive of Hope After Harm, said: “We at Hope After Harm are delighted to have been awarded the new contract for the delivery of Sexual Violence services across the Thames Valley.
“We have been delivering in this area for some time and are keen for our current provision to grow and strengthen to ensure that all victims and survivors of sexual abuse receive first class support when they need it.
“We will be working with service users, staff and volunteers to ensure a smooth transition of services between now and 1 April and will also be seeking continuous feedback and aiming for excellence in service delivery.”
More information about the Victims First services is available via: victims-first.org.uk
