By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
Services providing support for survivors of sexual violence and abuse in Nottingham will be given a cash boost by the City Council to help keep them running until 2025.
Previous studies have said the needs of a “large number” of survivors in the city were not being met effectively.
Both the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and local needs assessments organised by Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner have said more support is needed.
Council delegated decision documents say: “These identified a large number of survivors locally whose needs were not being met effectively and who lives had been adversely affected by the abuse, impacting on both them as individuals, their families and local services.”
Nottingham City Council has now agreed to extend its new services model and partnership project with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the Officer of the Police and Crime Commissioner until December 2025.
The authority originally entered the partnership project in February 2021, and this was due to come to an end in March next year.
It will be providing over £224,000 to help fund the work.
“The partnership remains committed to fund and deliver the sexual violence and abuse support services in partnership with the integrated Care Board (ICB) and Officer of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC),” council delegated decision documents say.
“The partners worked together for four years in consultation with specialist services and survivors to produce the model.
“Survivors were engaged throughout, including during commissioning, ensuring the model developed met their needs and those of future survivors.
“There was previously no seamless pathway for male and female survivors, encompassing both a therapeutic support and criminal justice pathway and hub.
“There was previously a smaller city service which we commissioned however the county had a very different service which lead to a postcode lottery.”
People can make self-referrals to the Nottinghamshire sexual violence support services by calling 0115 941 0440.
Outside of opening hours, people can leave a message or phone the 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 800 0340.
