PCC supports Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has spoken out in support of a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of sexual abuse and sexual violence.

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week runs from today until February 9 and will see activity taking place across the county to increase understanding of the impact of sexual violence and to shine a spotlight on the services and resources that can help people recover.  

The County Durham and Darlington PCC has long prioritised sexual violence and domestic abuse across the county, supporting an array of projects and services to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence and support victims through funding she receives by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) totalling  

This includes just over £91k to local charity Changing Lives for outreach and support for victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking to help them recover from trauma and £24,751 to the Halo Project Charity to increase capacity and deliver local community outreach and in-reach support to connect with hidden victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence within ethnic minority communities.

The PCC is also working alongside Durham Constabulary, the Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS), Durham and Darlington Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) and the Crown Prosecution Service to provide ongoing training for staff around how best to support survivors of serious sexual offences.

Speaking in support of the campaign, Joy Allen said: “I strongly support this national awareness week and will be playing my part to promote the services available for survivors as they navigate the complex and debilitating emotional pain caused by these offences.

“These appalling crimes have a lifelong impact on their victims. It is paramount we provide the best care possible to support recovery and walk with survivors through every step of the justice process to eradicate any further trauma.

“This is why victims – especially victims of high harm crimes such as sexual violence – will be front and centre of my new Police Crime and Justice Plan. I am adamant that justice is seen through the eyes of victims of crime at all costs and will provide ongoing opportunities for victims to use their voice and actively contribute to future services. This is the only way we can learn lessons.

“The force relentlessly pursues the perpetrators of sexual crimes, employing new resources and investigative strategies that focus firmly on the suspect and ensure the rights of victims are ‘front and centre’. These efforts have seen Durham Constabulary consistently securing a higher charge rate in comparison to other forces nationally for rape and sexual offences.

“There is always more to do, and we will continue to work side by side with our partners to encourage victims and survivors to report these experiences and get the help they need as quickly as possible.”

The new Professional Development Training, which will take place throughout March 2025, will see local Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVA’s), Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Navigators, the Crown Prosecution Service and the OPCC Victims Champion (Crime), delivering information and awareness raising to Force investigative staff around the importance of empathy, professional curiosity and the options available to victims so they can make better informed decisions.

A local victims’ guide has also been produced by the force with useful information to explain how police investigations into sexual offences work and what victims can expect from the process.  

Michael Banks, Victims Champion (Crime), said: “Victims of crime had no choice in becoming a victim. It was done to them. Having choices throughout the investigative and criminal justice processes can empower victims and help them cope and recover.”

DS Kirsty Salmon, Operation Soteria lead for victim engagement, added: “Durham Constabulary recognises the important work of our partners and seek collaborative opportunities to ensure all those involved investigating these serious offences, have the up-to-date knowledge to support victim-survivors and transform how sexual offences are investigated. If you’ve been raped, sexually assaulted, or stalked, please tell us. We are here to support you.’

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