Child sexual abuse Inquiry: Bidding opens for victims fund
Almost £5m available for organisations who have seen surge in work due to Inquiry.
Organisations reporting an increase in demand on their services prompted by the child sexual abuse Inquiry can now bid for shares of a £2 million fund.
All non-statutory organisations which have seen a surge in demand from child sexual abuse survivors for their services, as a direct result of the announcement of the Inquiry, can apply for a share of the fund from today (2 February).
Bids will be assessed against a range of criteria and allocated to ensure urgent needs are met.
Increased demand
A further fund of £2.85 million is available to non-statutory organisations that provide support to all victims of sexual abuse, and are currently experiencing increased demand. This will be administered in parallel with the Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry Fund.
Organisations are able to make bids for either or both of the available funds providing they meet the qualifying criteria.
Funds are being administered by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, supported by the Home Office.
Home Secretary Theresa May said:
Child sexual abuse is a despicable crime which this government is absolutely determined to eradicate. Once largely hidden, this is an issue we cannot, and must not, ignore.
We have established a child sexual abuse Inquiry to get to the truth of what has happened in the past, and ensure it can never be repeated.
Service providers are under considerable pressure. This funding will ensure that victims of child sexual abuse receive the support they need, when they need it.
We know more victims are coming forward and reporting the abuse they have suffered as public confidence increases that these allegations will be taken seriously, treated sensitively and pursued vigorously.
Bids must be submitted by e-mail to OPCCNGrants@norfolk.pnn.police.uk, and the bidding template and assessment criteria are available online.
Bidding will close on 2 March. The investment will run to the end of the 2015/16 financial year.
Rise in offences
There has been a 40 per cent increase in child sexual offences recorded by police in the last two years.