Government Boosts Victim Support with £147 Million Annual Funding
The government has pledged at least £147 million a year until 2025 to fund victim support services, moving away from short-term annual payments. This long-term commitment means charities can plan ahead, build capacity, and support more victims. The move follows a 15% rise in victims accessing help between 2019/20 and 2020/21, Police and Crime Commissioners reveal.
More Funding for Domestic Abuse Victims
The fresh funding will cover emotional, practical, and therapeutic help for victims of crime, including women and girls affected by domestic abuse. It will support extra Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs), ensuring consistent, reliable help is always available.
Dominic Raab, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, said: “We want more victims to have the confidence to come forward, so that more criminals can be prosecuted and victims can get the justice they deserve. We’re increasing transparency through local scorecards, rolling out pre-recorded cross-examination for rape victims, and boosting funding to £440 million over three years to get victims the support they need.”
Introducing Local Criminal Justice Scorecards
New local criminal justice scorecards will track how quickly police investigate cases, charge suspects, and complete court proceedings. They detail victim engagement and can be broken down by police forces and courts. Ministers hope these scorecards will build public trust and encourage victims to stay the course for justice.
Special focus is on rape and sexual violence cases, a key government pledge, aiming to increase prosecutions reaching court.
Emily Hunt, government’s independent victim advisor, said: “Nine months on from the Rape Review, too many victims are still let down. These scorecards show how local agencies perform and hold them to account. Prosecution rates for rape must rise, and local data access is crucial to achieving this.”
Pre-recorded Evidence to Shield Victims from Courtroom Trauma
The government will expand Section 28 measures in the North East of England, allowing rape and modern slavery victims to record their cross-examination before trial, easing courtroom stress. The rollout includes Crown Courts in York, Grimsby, Hull, Bradford, and Teesside, joining Liverpool, Leeds, and others already using it.
Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner, said: “I welcome the multi-year funding. Domestic abuse survivors deserve reliable long-term support, not short-term financial stopgaps. The Ministry of Justice is finally addressing this.”
Dame Vera Baird QC, Victims’ Commissioner for England & Wales, said: “Justice can be slow and frustrating, with regional disparities. These scorecards will expose weak spots and highlight best practice. The Section 28 rollout is a big step to reduce trauma for victims.”
Experts Back the Government’s Push for Justice
Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “Increased funding helps victims give their best evidence and receive emotional support. Our Operation Soteria pilots aim to overhaul how complex rape cases are handled to get more perpetrators convicted.”
David Lloyd PCC, APCC Criminal Justice Lead, said: “Local scorecards will help improve criminal justice performance to better serve victims and communities.”
Fay Maxted OBE, CEO of The Survivors Trust, said: “The long-term funding is vital for increasing demand in therapy and advocacy. The wider rollout of pre-recorded evidence will prevent court re-traumatisation for rape victims.”
Joe Shalam, Centre for Social Justice Policy Director, said: “These measures will push protections for vulnerable victims and improve the justice system’s response.”
Chief Constable Sarah Crew, NPCC Lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Assault, said: “Policing and CPS are committed to raising rape charge and conviction rates. Operation Soteria is showing promising results. Publishing local scorecards offers greater transparency and will help us improve services.”
This announcement complements recent government initiatives, including the new Victims’ Bill, longer sentences for violent offenders, and a nearly £500 million court funding boost. The #ItStillMatters campaign relaunch aims to raise awareness of sexual abuse support services and get victims the help they need.
