Warwickshire PCC Philip Seccombe (right) talks with RoSA Manager Julie Bettelley (left) and RoSA Board of Trustees Chair Sue Crosson (centre)
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe has hailed the work of a charity which helps support people who have been affected by rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence during a visit to its premises in Rugby.
RoSA (Rape or Sexual Abuse Support) is an independent charity offering free confidential support throughout Warwickshire to women, men, young people and children from age 5 onwards. Support is also offered to family members, partners and carers.
The charity receives core funding from the Commissioner’s Grants Scheme and additional funding to provide a children’s and young people’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor and counselling services for young people and victims of child sexual exploitation.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said: “The first priority in my police and crime plan is putting victims and survivors first and I am also keen to ensure that people are protected from harm. No one asks to become a victim of crime and it is therefore vital that they receive the right support and help when they do. Sexual crime has a devastating effect on victims and their families, so it’s important that there are organisations and services for people to talk to, who can provide a listening ear and help victims and survivors move forward with their lives.
“I have provided significant funding to RoSA through my Grants Scheme, so I was keen to come and meet the team on the ground and see for myself the vitally important work that they are doing. It was gratifying that during the visit on the services users made a point to come and tell me how important the services RoSA provides had been, speaking very movingly about the positive impact it had made to her life.”
Sue Crosson, Chair of the Board of Trustees for RoSA added: “RoSA wouldn’t be able to function without the money it receives in from the PCC. It’s critically important for providing specialist trained staff and volunteers to support people accessing RoSA’s services. It also goes to providing support for the environment in which we work, for accommodation, pencils and paper, for all of the things we need to make our clients safe and happy while they are here.
“The prevention aspect of RoSA’s work is also critically important to prevent future sexual violence and rapes and to raise children and young people’s awareness of the difficulties and dangers they might face from what they might think are everyday activities.
“It’s really important that the support that is provided becomes widely known and the funding from the PCC helps us put the message out that RoSA is here to help.”
For more information about RoSA’s free and confidential support services, visit www.rosasupport.org, call 01788 551150 or email [email protected].
