PFCC granted £9.3m funding boost for victim-survivors in Essex
Thousands of victim-survivors across Essex will receive vital support such as individual mentoring and counselling thanks to £9.3 million funding granted to the PFCC.
The investment has been allocated to the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner by the Government to offer practical, emotional and therapeutic support services for victims of all types of crime over the next two years.
Roger Hirst MBE, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said:
"Victims are at the heart of everything we do. Through our investment in specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence services across Essex, Southend and Thurrock, we are ensuring that victims can access the support, advocacy and practical help they need to stay safe and recover.
"Our commitment is clear: victims must be able to find help easily, understand their rights and receive the support they need, regardless of whether they have reported a crime. By working together, we are helping victims rebuild their lives while strengthening our collective response to violence against women and girls and all forms of abuse.
"This is an important opportunity to hear directly from victims and survivors about their experiences. Their voices are essential in helping us continuously improve services and ensure support remains accessible, effective and centred on the needs of those we serve."
Last week, Alex Davies-Jones, the Minister for Victims, Violence Against Women and Girls and International Justice, visited Essex-based victim services to meet survivors and understand how they will benefit from the funding.
Next Chapter provides free and confidential services to victims of domestic abuse, offering trauma-informed mentoring as well as programmes specially designed for young people. The specialist service also runs individual recovery programmes to help survivors rebuild their lives.
CARA is a Rape Crisis centre which offers specialist support to victim-survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse. The independent service provides counselling for victims and therapeutic support as well as access to Independent Sexual Violence Advisors who help guide survivors through the criminal justice system.
The Ministry of Justice has provided £4.6 million of funding for victims’ services to Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in 2026/27 and £4.7 million of funding in 2027/28. The Ministry of Justice funding will support both services to continue their crucial advocacy for victim-survivors.