A Teesside charity has been given £15,000 to help survivors of sexual violence recover.
Cleveland PCC has given Middlesbrough-based Arch Teesside money to help introduce a Support Navigator role next year.
The navigator will provide trauma-informed, emotional support to survivors of sexual violence, who are waiting to access specialist help.
With regular check-ins, the navigator will be able to assess survivors’ needs as well as any risks to their wellbeing. The role will signpost victims to resources such as peer support and wellbeing tools. This will help to bridge the gap between referral and engagement with specialist counselling and Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) support.
Currently, survivors face long waiting times for specialist support. Waiting times are up to eight months for counselling and 12 weeks for ISVA services.
Increasing demand
Nicky Harkin, Chief Executive Officer at Arch Teesside, said: “This funding comes at a valuable time for us.
“Demand for our services has increased year on year and it’s important that victims and survivors of sexual violence get timely support.
“The navigator role is vital because it ensures no one is left feeling alone or unsafe while waiting for specialist support.
“This funding will allow us to bridge a critical gap and reduce harm. It’s an important investment in safety and wellbeing.”
Funding came from Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey’s Protect and Support Fund.
The fund gave one-off grants to charities who work with people, who do not tend to access support – including specialist support – after becoming victims of crime.
Cash was targeted at projects supporting victims and vulnerable people, who may face barriers in getting help.
Proper funding
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matt Storey said: “I’m glad I’m able to fund this role.
“However, the need for a support navigator just shows how vital it is for police and victims’ services to be properly funded.
“High demand, backlogs in the criminal justice system and limited capacity have created a perfect storm of increased need and longer waiting times, adding to victims’ distress.
“That’s why it’s so important that the Government revises its funding formula to ensure funding is allocated on need rather than population numbers.”
In total, the Police and Crime Commissioner invests almost £2m every year in specialist support to help victims of crime, domestic abuse and sexual violence to recover from their experiences.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, 19,195 people in Cleveland accessed victim support. Over half were new service users.
Protect and Support grants are in addition to the PCC’s annual, commissioning to fund services for victims.