Life changing support offered to rape survivors thanks to successful £78k funding bid

THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner has announced that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are set to receive an extra £78K for 130 rape survivors to access vital counselling. The game changing amount from the Ministry of Justice has been made possible by Darryl Preston’s office and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Rape Crisis Partnership working together.

“I am thrilled that our county has been awarded the additional funding thanks to great partnership working,” Darryl said, “I know it will make an enormous difference to support available for survivors of rape.

“In my Police and Crime Plan I pledged to support victims and this funding will do just this.”

The money will enable 130 survivors, who were waiting for therapeutic support, to start work with a specially trained counsellor.

The news has been welcomed by the Cambridge and Peterborough Rape Crisis Partnership who provide countywide support to all victims and survivors of rape and sexual violence.

Director of Cambridge Rape Crisis, Norah Al-Ani said: “We are absolutely delighted. The impact this will have on survivors cannot be underestimated. The pandemic has affected all of our lives, and no more so than for those already dealing with the impacts of the trauma from sexual violence and abuse.”