Read our open letter ahead of the Norfolk PCC by-election

Charities unite with a clear message to voters and candidates

As Norfolk people go to the ballot box on Thursday 16^th July to elect a new Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (the elected official, responsible for the totality of policing in our county) we are sharing this open letter, co-signed by five local charities who – like us – provide specialist, much-needed support to victims of violent crimes.

The new person elected as the Commissioner will go on to hold great power over deciding what services are commissioned in Norfolk, and how funding is awarded – vital funding decisions that directly shape local policing and community safety.

One of their core financial responsibilities will be the commissioning of victim services and making the decisions about which services receive funding. Including Sue Lambert Trust.

The new PCC will hold the power to allocate central government grants (such as those from the Ministry of Justice) to commission local support services for victims of crime.

And that is why we are calling on voters and our supporters to give careful consideration to who gets their vote.

Ahead of Thursday 16^th July – Sue Lambert Trust and five other charities (all working to support survivors of sexual abuse, rape, sexual violence and domestic abuse) have shared this message.

You can read it in full below.

Think about survivors when using your vote 

Our joint letter has a clear call to action for every Norfolk voter: to prioritise survivors when selecting their next PCC candidate. And asks voters to hold candidates to five key commitments, should they take office.

We are asking the PCC candidates to commit to:

• Sustainable, specialist funding for victims and survivors
• Building trust so more survivors feel able to come forward
• Fairer legal aid access for domestic abuse victims in court
• Recognising specialist support as preventative, not just reactive
• Publicly challenging misinformation, including the fact that around 90% of perpetrators are known to their victims

Because demand for our support is rising. Funding and recognition of the impact we make on people’s lives, and the safety of our communities, is not.

With the next PCC about to be appointed, this is a real opportunity for change. And for survivors’ voices to be heard – loud and clear.

Former PCC, Sarah Taylor, who resigned (triggering this election) slashed our funding by 73% earlier this year – drastically impacting on our capacity and our ability to support the rising numbers of people who live in Norfolk and reach out to us for our specialist support – every, single, day.

With current funding levels, our capacity cannot meet demand.

We need funding that matches local need

We know that 1 in 12 people in Norfolk will experience sexual abuse, sexual violence or rape in their lifetime. And we want to be here for everyone who needs us. When they feel ready.

Our partner charities are facing tough times too – having to carefully balance their books, manage cuts in funding against a backdrop of rising need.

Norfolk Community Law Service reported a 9% increase in clients affected by domestic abuse this year, and Daisy Programme referrals are up 46% since April. Both have also faced cuts in funding from the PCC.

Survivor voices must be heard, and we must show – these lives matter.

Please, use your vote.

Your vote matters

“This election matters. Every day we see the impact of sexual violence and domestic abuse on the people who come through our doors, and we see how much difference the right support can make. We’re asking every candidate, and every voter, to make survivors a priority.” Clive Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Sue Lambert Trust

The by-election is a chance for Norfolk to strengthen the leadership it has already shown on sexual violence, and we’re proud to stand alongside our fellow specialist services in saying so.

Co-signed by Leeway, Norfolk Community Law Service, Brave Futures, The Daisy Programme, and One to One Project.