County Durham and Darlington PCC selects RSACC to deliver ISVA services to children and adults thanks to increased funding

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has announced RSACC has been selected to deliver a valuable new contract for Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) support services.

We have delivered the region’s existing ISVA service for nine years, offering practical and emotional support to survivors of sexual violence who are considering or actively navigating the criminal justice system.

Thanks to additional funding secured by Durham PCC, we are now pleased to be in a position to extend this specialist ISVA service to children and young people of all ages for the first time in our 35 year history.

RSACC CEO Isabel Owens said: “We are grateful to the Commissioner for recognising the need to provide survivors with independent advice about reporting to the police and subsequently navigating the often lengthy and complex criminal justice system; in particular the many children and young people who will now be able to access this specialist support.

“Durham has the highest rate of child sexual abuse offences per 1000 children of all police forces in the country. Being able to access this dedicated service will be a crucial lifeline to young people; both supporting them now and helping to protect their future wellbeing.”

The increase has already enabled us to recruit two additional staff members to our specialist team, giving new referrals the chance to access immediate support, as well as extending support to young people.

Isabel added: “To have secured this funding for the next two years and be in a position to provide survivors with the support they need, and deserve, will be life-changing.”

The Commissioner’s new core funding envelope has increased from £280,530 per year to £375,376.27 in 2026/27 as a result of additional funding secured through the Ministry of Justice’s Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence allocations.

Commissioner Joy Allen said the new funding reaffirms her commitment to putting victims’ voices at the heart of her Police, Crime and Justice Plan: “Survivors’ experiences and insights have shaped the direction of the Police, Crime and Justice Plan and directly informed the development of this new service.

“Survivors have told me what helps, what harms and where the system must do better. Their voices are the reason we are expanding this service and strengthening the support available. No one should ever feel they are facing trauma alone.”

Detective Superintendent Yvonne Dutson, from Durham Constabulary, added: “Offences involving sexual violence can have a truly devastating and long-lasting impact on those affected, so I am pleased that additional funding has been awarded to support some of our most vulnerable victims of crime.

“ISVA services are vital in providing an additional layer of independent support for victims and survivors at a very difficult time in their lives when they might not feel able or ready to talk to police.”

Find out more about our ISVA services and make a self-referral.