Author and Job Role: Lucy Thomas, Commissioning & Policy Lead for Victim Services
Protective Marking: OFFICIAL
Executive Summary:
Police & Crime Commissioners have the statutory responsibility to provide services to support victims cope and recover.
Background
To award funding for the provision of Child Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (CISVA) to provide a service to all children and young people in Surrey. Sexual violence of any kind is a traumatic experience and for children and young people can have dramatic repercussions for the rest of their lives. In addition to group and individual therapy to help their recovery, children, young people and their families need practical support in the aftermath of any incident and through any court proceedings. This can be a stressful experience as it may involve a re-telling of the traumatic incident. The CISVA is focused on this practical, supportive role, acting as an independent advocate for the child/young person and providing support for historic and recent allegations.
Recommendation
The posts will work with the Surrey’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), known as Solace. Under-18s account for approximately one third of all cases seen at the SARC and the CISVA will continue to help close the gap between the number of children and young people known to police who have alleged sexual abuse and those who access SARC. The Police and Crime Commissioner to approve £119,119.01 To meet the costs of 2 FTE CISVA workers for a duration of 12 months.
Police and Crime Commissioner Approval
I approve the recommendation(s):
Signature: Lisa Townsend, Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey (Wet signed copy held at PCC’s Office)
Date: 20 December 2022
All decisions must be added to the decision register.
Areas of consideration:
Financial implications
No implication
Legal
No legal implication
Risks
No risks
Equality and diversity
No implications
Risks to human rights
No risks