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Veritas Justice Stalking Advocacy Service receives emergency funding boost
On 2 May, the Government announced a package of £20 million to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne successfully secured £700,000 of this emergency funding for Sussex. The extra funding will be used to help meet any additional costs incurred by local charities during the pandemic and to help them prepare and expand their services to cope with the expected influx in referrals as lockdown restrictions continue to loosen.
Veritas Justice is one of 21 local support services that have received a grant from the Sussex funding, and this week it was awarded £24,726 to provide additional advocacy and recovery support services for an increasing number of survivors of stalking.
Claudia Ortiz, who accepted the grant award on behalf of Veritas Justice said:
“We are delighted to have been awarded this grant from the Police & Crime Commissioner. We saw an increasing number of referrals and requests for support during the lockdown, particularly in relation to cyber-enabled stalking. As restrictions are being lifted, we are preparing for an even greater influx of people needing our advice, help and support. This extra funding will mean that we can respond to this unprecedented demand and continue to help people affected by stalking to get the support they deserve in these most uncertain times”.
Commending Veritas Justice on its successful bid, Commissioner Bourne said: “Many of our local support services have struggled financially through lockdown, having to rapidly adapt their services to ensure help remains available for those in need.
“We are already seeing more people coming forward for help and, as lockdown restrictions loosen further, we must be prepared for an even greater influx.
“Veritas Justice is a wonderful example of many organisations in Sussex working hard to ensure that victims do not suffer in silence during this pandemic and beyond.
“This money will help them to recoup and expand their valuable services so they can continue to provide vital support to our most vulnerable.”
If you have been a victim of crime you can find details of help and support on the Safe Space Sussex website: safespacesussex.org.uk
For help and advice with stalking get in touch on this website. You can also access our confidential live chat Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and on Sundays from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
We are currently funded by the Office of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner to provide advocacy casework to all victims of stalking across Sussex.
