MINISTER PRAISES BEST PRACTICE IN SUPPORTING VICTIMS ON VISIT TO NORTHUMBRIA

THIS week Ministry of Justice Victims Minister MP Alex Davies Jones travelled to the North East to meet with Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), frontline professionals and strategic partners to hear more about how victims of crime are being supported across the force area.

The visit included a tour of the region’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), known as The Angel Centre, where she heard first-hand about the work taking place to support those who have been sexually assaulted. Funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and NHS England, the purpose-built facility provides a vital role in helping survivors cope and recover from sexual assault, as well as assisting with forensic recovery should victims wish to seek a criminal justice outcome and take offenders before the courts. It’s one of the first SARCs in the country working towards official accreditation for meeting key standards.

The Minister also asked about the Northumbria Victims of Crime Survey, launched last week. The survey is seeking views and experiences of victims and service providers to help shape victim support services. The PCC hopes to identify where existing services are effective and accessible, as well as highlighting areas for improvement by identifying any unmet or emerging victim needs.

Discussions also covered:

  • The benefits of the victim’s hub, Northumbria Victim and Witness Service (NVWS) and how it signposts to specialist services to help meet the needs of the victim.
  • How collaborative relationships are built with service providers across the region
  • Funding challenges and the need for sustainable long-term funding for specialist providers

Minister for Victims and tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Alex Davies-Jones spoke about the government’s commitment to halving VAWG in the next decade and to create safer streets through its Plan for Change. She said:

“The voices of victims themselves are a vital tool in making our services stronger, streets safer, and justice system better.

“It was a pleasure to meet those on the frontline at Northumbria PCC and thank them for the important work they’re doing. I encourage victims in the area to take part in the survey and help shape the future of support services for others in need.”

More than 30,000 victims have been supported in 2024-25 through the services commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner which cover a range of specialist areas including sexual abuse, hate crime and violence.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “We were so pleased to welcome the Minister and her team to our area to showcase the vital work to support victims that’s happening locally.

“Since becoming PCC, I have seen the dedication of our teams and partners that’s making a real difference to victims every day and so it was great to have the opportunity to highlight how we operate, and talk about important services such as The Angel Centre.

“We want to make sure victims are at the centre of all the work we do – from reporting a crime to recovery and justice and we are continually seeking ways to improve. I want us to be leading the way whether that’s with early support or ongoing care. The Minister seemed pleased with the way we are doing things up here and our ongoing efforts to make sure the victims voice is heard through our new Northumbria Victims of Crime Survey.”

Jessica Redhead, Head of Health & Justice for NHS England, North East & North Cumbria region, said: “The best advice we can give to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted is to use a SARC, which provides wrap around specialist care and support 24/7. These are tried and tested services which support men, women and children. They are accessible by self-referral and individuals do not have to report to the police to get help.

“We are committed to working closely with the region’s Police and Crime Commissioners, partners and our provider to ensure that victims and survivors of sexual violence continue to receive the highest quality support services.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome the Minister and her team into our region and to demonstrate how Northumbria Police is unwavering in its pledge to protecting the vulnerable.

“We remain committed to making sure everyone who experiences any form of abuse receives the highest level of service possible.

“The Angel Centre is a fantastic site where victims having been receiving specialist and tailored support for almost two years now.

“Since it opened, it has undoubtedly assisted our investigations and enabled us to bring offenders to justice – but most importantly supported victims in those critical early stages after an offence has taken place.

“We would encourage anyone who has been subjected to any form of abuse to come forward so we can take the appropriate action.

“We’ll continue working alongside our partners and support organisations and eagerly await the results of the Northumbria Victims of Crime Survey so we can ensure we’re even better meeting victims’ needs.”