A MAJOR £70,000 investment in support services for victims of sexual violence has been pledged by West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

John Campion has pledged to put victims first in his Safer West Mercia Plan, with a focus on providing improved and consistent services to help victims cope, recover and to reduce re-victimisation.

Along with the services already available to victims, Mr Campion is providing funding this year for extra independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs) - including employing two new male advisors to provide victims with a choice.

Funding has also been given to pilot two new schemes to specifically support families with children who have been victims of sexual violence, as well as to raise wider awareness of the issue in communities.

Mr Campion said: "Through supporting these services, I am delivering on my promise to put victims first. We work hard to prevent this awful crime from happening in the first place but, where it does occur, it’s important we have the right structures and resources to help people cope and recover and provide them with the best possible service."

The PCC is also supporting preventative work within schools and a project looking at issues such as consent, what sexual violence/abuse is, sexting and pornography, is being delivered across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The project is aimed at 11 to 18 year-olds and a similar scheme for Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin will follow in the coming months.

Denise Griffiths, operations manager for West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC) said: "There are very few male ISVAs working within the UK and WMRSASC is pleased to be able to provide this additional support for clients.

"This a key part of the ongoing development of specialist sexual violence support services that WMRSASC provides."