PCC says victims will always be believed when accessing support services

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 01:00

Victims who access support through commissioned services will always be listened to and taken seriously regardless of whether they’ve reported a crime or not, Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

PCC Philip Wilkinson wants victims in the county to be confident they will always be provided with the support they need after the weekend’s media revelations of historic rape and sexual assault allegations by several victims against a comedian.

Last month the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) launched a new campaign focusing on signposting the broad range of commissioned support services available for victims of all types of crime, including rape and sexual assault – and the fact don’t need to report to get support.

Mr Wilkinson said: “With the shocking historic allegations coming to light in the media this weekend, which may have left victims feeling unheard, I want to reassure the people of Wiltshire that they can come forward in confidence that they will be listened to, and mostly importantly they will be believed."

“My office’s victims’ campaign is about signposting our commissioned services that are there to help people when they most need it, and rest assured victims will be treated with respect, dignity, and care by teams of highly trained support workers and medical professionals.

“I want to stress that all victims can access support via my office’s commissioned services regardless of whether you’ve reported a crime to Wiltshire Police or not – and if you do decide you’d like to report a crime at a later stage, you’ll be supported accordingly throughout the entire process.

Alongside the funding made available to the police to enforce the law, more than £4.5M is being spent in Wiltshire this year alone to help and support victims, contribute towards community safety, aid in reducing serious violence and reoffending.

To find out more, please visit the online Victim and Witness hub

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