The Police and Crime Commissioner has boosted funding for services supporting victims across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes, following government cuts to the services.

Over £3.1 million of funding will be given to specialist services supporting victim-survivors of domestic abuse, rape and sexual violence and stalking, over the next two years. The money will be shared between 18 services across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Funding granted by Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, will support the continued use of Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs), Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs) and a stalking advocacy service.

The money will also be put towards legal advice for domestic abuse victims, support for male victims of rape and sexual abuse and other specialist provision to help victim-survivors build resilience.

Over £3.1m funding has been granted by the Police and Crime Commissioner to support victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking in the Thames Valley.

placeholder image — Over £3.1m funding has been granted by the Police and Crime Commissioner to support victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking in the Thames Valley.

Matthew Barber said: “Domestic abuse, rape and sexual violence and stalking are some of the highest harm crimes an individual can experience. We have some exceptional organisations supporting victim-survivors of these crimes in the Thames Valley, but the Government’s 4.2% cut to the core victims funding provided to PCCs in 2025/26, in addition to a real-terms cut to the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund, created significant financial uncertainty.

“We were able to protect services from the funding reduction in 2025/26 and have committed that the 2% increase received from the Ministry of Justice for this financial year (2026/27) will be passed on, in full, to services.

"Some organisations will also receive an enhanced uplift in recognition of cost-of-living pressures and to ensure consistent salaries for specialist positions across the Thames Valley.

“We have also already confirmed funding amounts for 2027/28, totalling over £1.59 million. This will give the sector and post-holders more stability and ensure that victims will continue to have access to the vital support these 18 organisations provide.”

Between April 2025 and September 2025, the 18 services funded by the PCC supported over 2,600 victim-survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking across the Thames Valley.

Brianne Atkins, Service Manager at Aurora New Dawn, said: “We extend our thanks to the OPCC and look forward to continuing this vital advocacy work across the Thames Valley area. You can find out more about our work here.”

Laura Hunter, CEO of Flag DV, said: “Funding from the OPCC enables FLAG DV to continue providing free family-law legal advice to victims and survivors of domestic abuse on matters such as children, divorce, and protection.

“In addition, the Victims’ Grant Fund has enabled us to grow our offer by developing and delivering online court-support workshops, helping survivors better understand and navigate the family court process.”

Zoe Bell, Co-CEO of Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes (SAASSBMK), said: “This vital funding enables SAASSBMK to offer essential services that build connections and reduce social isolation for survivors, reassuring them they are not alone.

"Support groups are a key part of our therapeutic care, helping survivors regain balance and develop coping strategies. One survivor described the peer group as a “sanity and life saver” during a difficult time.

“Funding also allows us to provide dedicated ISVAs who ensure victims’ rights are respected and their voices heard, securing the support and justice survivors deserve. Without this funding, our crucial work simply could not continue.”

The 18 organisations receiving funding from the PCC are:

Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse - £20,601.96
Aurora New Dawn – £172,580
Aylesbury Women's Aid - £43,175
Browns Community Services - £35,700
Flag DV - £30,292
Hope After Harm - £129,525
Hourglass - £47,393.28
MK-ACT - £38,175
PACT – Parents and Children Together - £120,059
Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse - £137,700
Refugee Resource - £21,588
Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes (SAASSBMK) – £98,252
SAFE! - £303,500.36
Sunrise Multicultural Project - £25,905
Survivors Space - £86,356
The Dash Charity - £129,525
Trust House - £43,175
Wycombe Women’s Aid - £43,175