CHESHIRE’S police and crime commissioner is increasing his support for young victims of crime by awarding grants to organisations that deliver services that specifically target younger victims.
The NSPCC, Young Addaction, Remedi and Warrington Youth Club were successful in their applications to David Keane’s Supporting Victims Fund – a new fund that was launched to support services which offer tailored support to victims.
The fund was set up following the completion of a review by the PCC’s office, which identified that victims of crime under the age of 18 were currently under-represented in regards to victim services available to them in Cheshire.
Mr Keane said: “I am committed to putting victims first and ensuring that our local victim services offer the right type of support to give victims of crime the confidence to seek help when they need it.
“Following the review completed by my office, I listened and learned that there were limited services on offer in Cheshire which specifically support younger victims of crime.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how each project develops and how we can work together to increase support for young victims of crime so they can be supported through the aftermath and their long-term recovery.”
The funding will allow for the NSPCC’s Hear and Now project to be delivered in Warrington. The project provides support for troubled and vulnerable children who may not have disclosed sexual abuse, but are displaying worrying signs that something is wrong.
Caroline Watts, NSPCC service centre manager at Warrington, said: “We are incredibly grateful to have received this very generous grant from the police and crime commissioner’s office.
“We know that one in three children who experience sexual abuse don’t tell anyone what has happened to them, and this grant will enable us to help more vulnerable young people in our communities and give them the confidence to speak out.”
It will also see the pilot of the ‘Got Your Back’ project in Cheshire – a tried and tested support service developed by Remedi in Derbyshire to work with young people who have been victimised, regardless of whether they have reported it to the police or not.
The organisation – which the commissioner also funds to deliver restorative justice services across Cheshire – will provide face-to-face support and mentoring for young victims in Halton.
