MP slammed for claiming no funding for victims of sexual violence
In a debate on the Victims and Courts Bill in Parliament this week, Milton Keynes Central MP, Emily Darlington, incorrectly claimed that the Police & Crime Commissioner “does not fund sexual abuse support services in Milton Keynes”. This is despite a multi-year funding programme providing millions of pounds of support for victims services in Thames Valley including hundreds of thousands of pounds specifically for Milton Keynes.
Responding to the claims made in parliament, Matthew Barber, Thames Valley’s Police & Crime Commissioner has highlighted the extensive programme of funding and support for organisations in Milton Keynes including SAASSBMK (Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Bucks and Milton Keynes), and Safe!
In a letter detailing the funding provided to a variety of organisations who support victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse, Matthew Barber pointed out that this funding has increased for some of these organisations despite a 4% cut to funding from the Ministry of Justice and increased costs for local charities as National Insurance rises.
Matthew Barber has called on the Milton Keynes Central MP to withdraw her remarks and set the record straight in parliament.
Victims of sexual violence in the Thames Valley can access specialist support by contacting Victims First on 0300 1234 148 or online at www.victims-first.org.uk.
