Survivors of sexual violence and abuse in West Yorkshire to be given extra support

The Independent Sexual Violence Advisors are being funded by a £230,000 grant over two years, said Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson.

It means access to rape crisis services will be provided to the Wakefield district for the first time. Mr Burns-Williamson has also promised more outreach services for Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups as well as specialist support for male and LGBTQ+ victims.

The new support workers will work within West Yorkshire ISVA Service, provided by Victim Support, and Kirklees and Calderdale Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre.

Mr Burns-Williamson said that the funding would mean support for survivors of “recent and historic” cases.

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Mark Burns-Williamson said: “I am really pleased we have been able to secure this much needed funding for three additional ISVAs which will mean more support for victims and survivors of both recent and historic cases, including dedicated support to take cases through the Criminal Justice system, gaining better outcomes and ensuring victims are supported through what can be quite a harrowing and painful process for them.

“Both West Yorkshire Victim Support and KCRASACC work across district boundaries, working with both females and males and also share a commitment to working with children and young people, and I feel more reassured that our most vulnerable will be further supported with these additional resources.

“I have said in my Victim’s Strategy that we need make sure victims and survivors get the right support at the right time, and these appointments, along with the opening of our new Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (SARC) this Summer means another big step forward in our support for vulnerable individuals who need it.”

The additional funding is helping the PCC and the organisations involved develop closer collaboration between them to ensure that the very best use is made of the resources available.

Heather Cooper, the chief executive of KCRASAC, said: “We are pleased to announce that with the PCC funding, in August, KCRASAC employed a BAME ISVA. This enabled KCRASAC to begin delivering ISVA services across Wakefield, whist working in partnership with our colleagues at Victim Support.

“Our ISVA teams are working together to raise awareness of the ISVA role in Wakefield, so that victims and survivors of sexual violence can get the support they need”.