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<p>In accordance with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims’ Code), a
person is entitled to support if they have suffered harm, including physical, mental
or emotional harm or economic loss, which was directly caused by a criminal offence.
They are entitled to access victim support services at any time, whether they have
reported a crime or not.</p><p>This year, the Government allocated £24m over the next
three years to specialist sexual violence and abuse support services across England
and Wales to provide advice, support and counselling to victims of these appalling
crimes to help them cope with and, as far as possible, recover from the effects of
crime. Part of this funding will go towards Independent Sexual Violence Advisors to
provide impartial advocacy for victims of sexual violence and abuse who have reported
to the police or are considering reporting to the police.</p><p>In addition, in the
cross-government Victims Strategy, which we published on 10 September 2018, we made
a commitment to improve support for victims of crime, including by increasing the
number of Registered Intermediaries, communication experts helping vulnerable victims
and witnesses give their best evidence at police interview and at court.</p>
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