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Funding will help victim-survivors of all types of
crime including domestic abuse and sexual violence
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Minister Davies-Jones visits Essex based support
services to meet survivors who will benefit from funding
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Part of Government's commitment to halve violence
against women and girls and ensure swifter justice for
victims
Thousands of victim-survivors across Essex will receive vital
support such as individual mentoring and counselling thanks to
£9.3 million in Government funding.
The investment has been allocated to the Essex Police, Fire and
Crime Commissioner to offer practical, emotional and therapeutic
support services for victims of all types of crime over the next
two years.
Today, (Tuesday 8th September), , the Minister for
Victims, Violence Against Women and Girls and International
Justice, visited Essex-based victim services to meet survivors
and understand how they will benefit from the funding.
Next Chapter provides free and confidential services to victims
of domestic abuse, offering trauma-informed mentoring as well as
programmes specially designed for young people. The specialist
service also runs individual recovery programmes to help
survivors rebuild their lives.
CARA is a Rape Crisis centre which offers specialist support to
victim-survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse. The
independent service provides counselling for victims and
therapeutic support as well as access to Independent Sexual
Violence Advisors who help guide survivors through the criminal
justice system.
The Ministry of Justice funding will support both services to
continue their crucial advocacy for victim-survivors.
Minister for Victims, Violence against Women and Girls
and International Justice, , said:
Meeting the incredible teams at both Next Chapter and CARA today
has been a privilege and I'd like to thank them for their
dedicated work supporting victims. I've also spoken to brave
victim-survivors and heard directly from them just how
life-changing this support is.
Whether it's a supportive mentor for a woman fleeing her abuser
or trauma-informed counselling to help victims get back on their
feet, these services offer victims-survivors absolutely essential
support. That's why we are proud to back their work across Essex
with this crucial £9.3m funding. We are unwavering in our mission
to protect women and girls from VAWG and deliver swifter justice
for victims.
MBE, Police, Fire and Crime
Commissioner for Essex, said:
Victims are at the heart of everything we do. Through our
investment in specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence
services across Essex, Southend and Thurrock, we are ensuring
that victims can access the support, advocacy and practical help
they need to stay safe and recover.
Our commitment is clear: victims must be able to find help
easily, understand their rights and receive the support they
need, regardless of whether they have reported a crime. By
working together, we are helping victims rebuild their lives
while strengthening our collective response to violence against
women and girls and all forms of abuse.
The visit by Minister provides an important
opportunity to hear directly from victims and survivors about
their experiences. Their voices are essential in helping us
continuously improve services and ensure support remains
accessible, effective and centred on the needs of those we serve.
This funding forms part of the unprecedented £550 million of
Government investment over the next three years to help victims
and witnesses through the justice process. The funding has been
allocated across all Police and Crime Commissioner areas in
England and Wales to support victims of crime in their local
communities.
The Government has also awarded £8.7 million to Rape Crisis
England & Wales to continue the vital around-the-clock Rape
and Sexual Abuse Support Line, providing 24/7 support for anyone
affected by sexual violence in England and Wales.
The Prime Minister has also blocked anyone in prison for rape,
serious child sexual offences or grooming from upcoming
sentencing changes.
Notes to editors
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The Ministry of Justice has provided £4.6 million of
funding for victims' services to Essex Police, Fire and Crime
Commissioner in 2026/27 and £4.7 million of funding in
2027/28.
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The Essex PFCC area covers the entire county of Essex, which
includes 14 local government districts.
