Latest news with #IndependentSexualViolenceAdvisors
Pembrokeshire Herald
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Welsh Government announces £2m boost for abuse survivor support services
10th anniversary of landmark legislation marked with funding uplift THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced over £2 million in additional funding to support survivors of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, made the announcement on Thursday (May 1) during the official opening of Rothbury House in Newport—a new support centre run by New Pathways, which offers counselling and support for survivors of sexual violence. The facility, a former nursing home, has been redeveloped with Welsh Government backing. Additional funding provided in March helped enhance security measures to ensure a safe environment for service users. The new funding package includes £1.28 million to expand support and advice services across Wales and £900,000 to improve buildings, strengthen security, and purchase essential equipment for organisations helping survivors. The announcement marks the 10th anniversary of the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) (Wales) Act 2015, which came into force on April 29, 2015. Deputy Chief Executive of New Pathways, Mike Wilkinson, said: 'Rothbury House will offer a wide range of support services for people who have experienced sexual violence, including Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs), wellbeing support, and specialist counselling. We also have staff trained to support children and young people, alongside our professional training programmes and Counselling College.' During her visit, the Cabinet Secretary toured the facility and met with staff to see how the upgraded environment is helping enhance care for survivors. Jane Hutt said: 'Partnerships like the one we have with New Pathways are vital to our mission of tackling violence against women and girls. This investment strengthens services across Wales, ensuring that safe, specialist spaces are available for those beginning their recovery journey. 'There is no place for harassment, abuse or violence in our society. Ten years on from our landmark legislation, we remain committed to making Wales the safest place to be a woman or a girl. We will continue working with specialist organisations, the police and the wider public sector to prevent abuse, hold perpetrators accountable and support victims.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Video: Fire destroys agricultural vehicle near Carmarthen
10th anniversary of landmark legislation marked with funding uplift THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced over £2 million in additional funding to support survivors of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, made the announcement on Thursday (May 1) during the official opening of Rothbury House in Newport—a new support centre run by New Pathways, which offers counselling and support for survivors of sexual violence. The facility, a former nursing home, has been redeveloped with Welsh Government backing. Additional funding provided in March helped enhance security measures to ensure a safe environment for service users. The new funding package includes £1.28 million to expand support and advice services across Wales and £900,000 to improve buildings, strengthen security, and purchase essential equipment for organisations helping survivors. The announcement marks the 10th anniversary of the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) (Wales) Act 2015, which came into force on April 29, 2015. Deputy Chief Executive of New Pathways, Mike Wilkinson, said: 'Rothbury House will offer a wide range of support services for people who have experienced sexual violence, including Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs), wellbeing support, and specialist counselling. We also have staff trained to support children and young people, alongside our professional training programmes and Counselling College.' During her visit, the Cabinet Secretary toured the facility and met with staff to see how the upgraded environment is helping enhance care for survivors. Jane Hutt said: 'Partnerships like the one we have with New Pathways are vital to our mission of tackling violence against women and girls. This investment strengthens services across Wales, ensuring that safe, specialist spaces are available for those beginning their recovery journey. 'There is no place for harassment, abuse or violence in our society. Ten years on from our landmark legislation, we remain committed to making Wales the safest place to be a woman or a girl. We will continue working with specialist organisations, the police and the wider public sector to prevent abuse, hold perpetrators accountable and support victims.'
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man jailed for raping woman in alleyway
A man has been jailed for six years after raping a woman in an alleyway. Constantin-Robert Munteanu, 46, of Ferndale Road in Swindon, Wiltshire, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to two counts of rape. Munteanu attacked his victim in an alleyway in Swindon, between Gladstone Street and Ponting Street, shortly before midnight on 12 January. His sentence was reduced from nine years due to an early guilty plea, but he will also be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Temporary Det Con Elizabeth Storrar, of Swindon CID, said: "First and foremost, I'd like to thank and pay tribute to the victim in this case. "Acknowledging and reporting what has happened can be very difficult for survivors of sexual offences, but because of her courage, women are now safer on the streets of Swindon. "This investigation was a good example of multi-agency work between Swindon Police and outside organisations, which is vital for bringing dangerous offenders like Munteanu to justice. "If you have been a victim of a sexual offence, know that there are other agencies and charities who can support you through a police investigation, such as First Light and their Independent Sexual Violence Advisors." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. HM Courts & Tribunals Service
