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A specialist service supporting sexual violence survivors in County Durham and Darlington will continue under a new contract from Durham’s police and crime commissioner.
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) will run the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service, helping survivors through the criminal justice system.
Durham PCC Joy Allen said: "Survivors’ experiences and insights have shaped the direction of the Police, Crime and Justice Plan and directly informed the development of this new service.
"Survivors have told me what helps, what harms and where the system must do better.
"Their voices are the reason we are expanding this service and strengthening the support available.
"No one should ever feel they are facing trauma alone."
RSACC is the only specialist sexual violence support provider in County Durham and Darlington.
The centre currently supports more than 1,000 people every year.
It has run the ISVA service for nine years, giving survivors practical and emotional support through the criminal justice process.
Extra funding under the new contract will extend ISVA support to children and young people.
It is the first time in the charity’s 35-year history that RSACC can offer the service to people of all ages.
Isabel Owens, CEO of RSACC, said: "We are grateful to the commissioner for recognising the need to provide survivors with independent advice about reporting to the police and subsequently navigating the often lengthy and complex criminal justice system; in particular the many children and young people who will now be able to access this specialist support.
"Durham has the highest rate of child sexual abuse offences per 1,000 children of all police forces in the country.
"Being able to access this dedicated service will be a crucial lifeline to young people; both supporting them now and helping to protect their future wellbeing."
The extra funding has already allowed RSACC to hire two new staff members.
The new staff will provide immediate help to people referred to the service and reach more younger survivors.
Ms Owens said the funding would make a lasting difference.
She said: "To have secured this funding for the next two years and be in a position to provide survivors with the support they need, and deserve, will be life-changing."
Annual core funding for the service will rise from £280,530 to £375,376.27 in 2026/27.
The rise will be paid for through Ministry of Justice funding for domestic abuse and sexual violence support.
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Detective Superintendent Yvonne Dutson, of Durham Constabulary, welcomed the expanded service.
She said: "Offences involving sexual violence can have a truly devastating and long-lasting impact on those affected, so I am pleased that additional funding has been awarded to support some of our most vulnerable victims of crime.
"ISVA services are vital in providing an additional layer of independent support for victims and survivors at a very difficult time in their lives when they might not feel able or ready to talk to police."