VICTIMS of child sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and violence in Warwickshire can get help to recover thanks to a new service.
Children’s charity Barnardo’s and Rugby-based independent charity RoSA (Rape or Sexual Abuse Support) have jointly been awarded a contract to deliver support services across the county for an initial three years.
The service, commissioned and funded by Warwickshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), aims to help victims cope and recover from abuse by providing tailored support – face-to-face, on the telephone or online.
The service will allow more trained professionals to tell victims about their options, including reporting to the police or accessing other services such as counselling.
Barnardo’s, which has worked as part of the multi-agency Warwickshire CSE Team for a number of years, will continue to develop the ‘Something’s Not Right’ campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of child sexual exploitation.
RoSA, meanwhile, has been giving free and confidential support to victims of rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence in Warwickshire for 26 years.
The new service aims to give victims seamless support in one place by bringing the two charities together.
Barnardo’s children’s services manager Robert Cotterill said: “We want to ensure children and young people have ongoing support into adulthood, and that adults who disclose their own experiences of child sexual exploitation also have the right support.”
RoSA’s director Julie Bettelley added: “The funding provides RoSA with greater stability, allowing us to provide high quality essential support for men, women, children and young people and further improve access to services for survivors of rape and sexual abuse.”
Visit youtu.be/dVIFlBUVScA to watch a video showcasing the new commissioned service.
Contact the RoSA helpline on 01788 551150 or visit www.rosasupport.org for help to recover from the effects of rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence in Warwickshire.
Contact the Warwickshire Multi Agency Sexual Exploitation Team helpline on 01926 684 490 or visit www.warwickshirecse.co.uk for help and information about child sexual exploitation.
