Sexual abuse and violence is any harmful sexual behaviour which takes place without consent or understanding. This type of crime can have a devastating effect on the person’s health and wellbeing. We will continue to work with the police and partners to give victims the confidence to come forward and report these crimes, target offenders, and raise awareness of what can be a ‘hidden’ crime. We will continue make sure that services for all victims of sexual abuse and violence are available in West Yorkshire to support victims to cope and recover. The recently opened Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is a great example of our partnership’s support for victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse Priority Plan

So that we can all understand more about what we are doing together and want to do together to deliver on our priority areas of work we have developed our 'Priority Plans'.

These plans will be refreshed and renewed and are work in progress but we will report on our delivery against these Priority Plans in public facing Community Outcomes Meetings.

We want to demonstrate the difference we are making in our communities but we also want to know what else we could be doing to keep people in West Yorkshire safe and feeling safe.

If you have a positive contribution to make to our Priority Plans please contact the office.

 Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner is committed to tackling domestic abuse and sexual abuse. This Strategy provides the framework of priorities for delivery and commissioning to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence and to support victims and survivors of these crimes across West Yorkshire from 2016-2020. No one agency can do this alone, police, councils, health, safeguarding, criminal justice partners and local third sector support service providers all provide an important role in achieving this strategy. It aims to join up with the Police and Crime Plan and other strategies and approaches adopted and commissioned at district level.