PRESS RELEASE Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Press Release - action on Disclosure and urgent sexual violence case review On Saturday 27 January, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced a package of measures to improve the criminal justice system. These relate specifically to the Disclosure of evidence to defence lawyers. Alison Saunders, the Director [...]
Victims of sexual violence are now able again to access to specialist Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Devon and Cornwall, without having to report the crime first. The Cove (Plymouth) and The Willow Centre (Cornwall) are expecting a sharp increase in victims and survivors coming forward for medical and emotional support. Tom Dingwall, Chief Executive [...]
4 December 2016 Victims of sexual assault and abuse in Devon and Cornwall, including children and young people will be helped by extra funding from NHS England. The team of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez worked closely with NHS England to secure more than £150,000. This additional funding will enhance the services already [...]
A crisis worker is a highly trained, yet compassionate and empathetic professional, who is skilled at supporting people at a time of trauma and personal crisis. All of our crisis workers are female and have been selected on the basis of their integrity and openness. They know how important it is for your voice to [...]
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary are committed to supporting those who have experienced rape or serious sexual assault. They have specially trained officers - Sexual Offences Liaison Officers (SOLOs) who can assist you through the Criminal Justice process, if that is what you decide you want to do. This information has been put together by Devon [...]
A forensic medical examination is an invaluable way to collect evidence against a perpetrator. Since the great majority of victims know their assailant, the purpose of the medical examination is often not to establish identity but to establish non-consensual sexual contact. A forensic medical examination is carried out by a qualified Forensic Physician (FP) with [...]
If you have been the victim of sexual abuse you may be able to claim compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This kind of criminal injury wrecks lives and can have a far more deep rooted effect on the victim than a violent physical assault. Some people struggle with the thought of claiming [...]
Ensuring that stereotyping older people is to be avoided, experience shows that some older people may feel less able to access services; they may be less able to access services; they may be less aware than younger people of the services and options available to them; or they may believe that services are only for [...]
What is consent? Consensual sex is when both parties, being of legal age, agree to engage in intercourse by choice and they have the freedom and capacity to make that choice. This is agreeing to sexual relations without fear, coercion, force or intimidation. Giving consent is active, not passive. It means freely choosing to say [...]
If you have been a victim of sexual violence, you may be experiencing a wide range of emotions and reactions that can be very upsetting. This is quite normal for someone who has been through such a traumatic experience. You may feel: Shock and numbness Shame and humiliation Distress Fear Anger Guilt and self- blame [...]
