Thousands of victim-survivors across Essex are set to receive enhanced support after the Government confirmed £9.3 million in funding for local victim services over the next two years.
The investment, allocated through the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, will fund a range of practical, emotional and therapeutic services for victims of all types of crime, helping some of the county's most vulnerable residents access the support they need to recover and rebuild their lives.
As part of the announcement, Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims, Violence Against Women and Girls and International Justice, visited Essex on Tuesday 8 September to meet victim-survivors and frontline support teams delivering critical services across the county.
Among the organisations benefiting from the funding is Next Chapter, a specialist domestic abuse charity providing free and confidential support to survivors. Its services include trauma-informed mentoring, tailored programmes for young people and personalised recovery support aimed at helping victims regain confidence and independence following abuse.
The funding will also support CARA, an Essex-based Rape Crisis centre that delivers specialist services for victim-survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse. The organisation provides counselling, therapeutic interventions and access to Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs), who help guide survivors through what can often be a complex criminal justice process.
The Ministry of Justice said the funding will enable both organisations to continue delivering essential advocacy and support services at a time when demand remains high.
Minister for Victims, Violence against Women and Girls and International Justice, Alex Davies-Jones, said:
“Meeting the incredible teams at both Next Chapter and CARA today has been a privilege and I’d like to thank them for their dedicated work supporting victims. I’ve also spoken to brave victim-survivors and heard directly from them just how life-changing this support is.
“Whether it’s a supportive mentor for a woman fleeing her abuser or trauma-informed counselling to help victims get back on their feet, these services offer victims-survivors absolutely essential support. That’s why we are proud to back their work across Essex with this crucial £9.3m funding. We are unwavering in our mission to protect women and girls from VAWG and deliver swifter justice for victims.”
The Essex allocation forms part of a wider £550 million Government investment programme over the next three years aimed at improving support for victims and witnesses navigating the justice system.
Funding has been distributed across Police and Crime Commissioner areas in England and Wales, ensuring victims can access specialist support within their local communities.
In a separate commitment, the Government has awarded £8.7 million to Rape Crisis England & Wales to maintain its 24-hour Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, providing around-the-clock assistance for anyone affected by sexual violence.
The announcement follows a series of measures aimed at strengthening protections for victims, including the Prime Minister's decision to exclude individuals convicted of rape, serious child sexual offences and grooming from forthcoming sentencing changes.
For public sector leaders, the funding represents a significant investment in preventative and recovery-focused services, recognising the vital role specialist organisations play in supporting victim-survivors and improving justice outcomes across local communities.
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