Decision number: 48.2025
Author and Job Role: Lucy Thomas, Commissioning & Policy Lead for Victim Services
Protective Marking: OFFICIAL
Executive summary:
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey is responsible for commissioning services that support victims of crime to help them cope and recover. Funding is derived by both the Ministry of Justice’s Victim Grant and additional MOJ funding specifically for domestic abuse and sexual violence survivors in Surrey.
Applications for the grant:
Police Advocate – ESDAS
£42,000 to East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS) for the provision of police advocates. Police advocates are outreach workers embedded in the divisional policing teams to support victims of DA.
Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC) – ESDAS and Victim & Witness Care Unit
Following the super-complaint there is an aspiration to increase support to victims of stalking. This funding is for the 2 stalking advocates in Surrey to be trained to become accredited ISACs.
Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA)
AAFDA support bereaved families and friends who have lost a loved one through fatal domestic abuse (including homicide and suicide). They offer emotional, practical and peer support and also help support families and friends through potential criminal proceedings, Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDR) and inquests.
Recommendation:
The PCC supports the use of the Victims Fund and MOJ additional funding to support victims’ services and awards the following;
- £42,000 to ESDAS for police advocates
- £1,500 to ESDAS for ISAC accreditation training
- £1,900 to the Victim and Witness Care Unit for ISAC training
- £8,701.56 to AAFDA to continue to support families and friends of fatal domestic abuse
Police and Crime Commissioner approval:
I approve the recommendation(s):
Signature: PCC Lisa Townsend (wet signed copy held in Office)
Date: 4th February 2025
All decisions must be added to the decision register.
Areas of consideration:
Consultation
None to note
Financial implications
Sustainability of services beyond funding agreement period
Legal
No Legal implications
Risks
No Risks
Equality and diversity
No implications
Risks to human rights
No Risks