Issue details

The reasons for the decision are:

A GM Sexual Violence Harm Reduction Group has been established which brings together support services to consider:
• Implications arising from the GM Sexual Violence problem profile
• Collaboration opportunities
• Increasing access to and diversity of services
• Developing problem solving approaches
• Better understanding of the link between domestic abuse and sexual violence
• Exploring issues of inclusion for identifying ‘hidden harm’ in communities and across protected characteristics such as males/females including the development of a community champions programme
• Advising on communications and awareness raising initiatives and programmes
• Ongoing impact of Covid

The Group have been consulted, and they have agreed that sharing communications and engagement resources will allow them: to be more resilient; develop proactive campaigns; increase awareness of services; consider prevention strategies; independently organise themselves and; engender sector joint working.

Having reviewed available options for the provision of the role, it was felt that in the interests of achieving the most impact / influence and delivering value for money, the role would be best positioned as an outsourced post within SV providers themselves rather than the GMCA recruiting in-house where there is segregation from practitioners and impact may be limited.

It was also felt that Survivors Manchester are best positioned to fulfil this role, as they already have a communications suite including software which can then be utilised by other services which will reduce duplication. They are also very well positioned to identify and extend staffing resources that can be deployed across the sector.

The funds are enabling, and the focus will be increasing access to support services for victims and survivors and diversifying offers of support.

Further funding will be subject to a bid to NHSE and/or CA Police Property Act Fund requirements.