Police and Crime Commissioner News

Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2025: Supporting Survivors Across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Sexual Violence Awareness Week, which runs from the 3rd – 9th February, serves as a reminder of the important work undertaken by our local services and charities in providing vital support for those affected by sexual abuse and violence.

The Police and Crime Commissioner is committed to tackling sexual abuse and violence within the county and supporting survivors, working alongside services that offer a range of support, from counselling and advocacy to practical support and crisis intervention.

This week, local organisations including Cambridge Rape Crisis, Peterborough Rape Crisis, Cambridge Women’s Aid, Peterborough Women’s Aid, and Cambridge Women’s Resources Centre, will be using social media and other platforms to educate, spread awareness, and highlight the resources available for those in need of support.

If you, or someone you know, is a survivor of sexual abuse or violence, help is available. The following organisations offer free, confidential support and accept self-referrals, meaning that anyone affected can reach out for support directly, without having to have made a report to the police:

• Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre
• Peterborough Rape Crisis Care Group
• Cambridge Women’s Aid
• Peterborough Women’s Aid
• Cambridge Women’s Resources Centre

Please visit the above websites to find out more about the services and support available in your area.

We encourage everyone to show their support for Sexual Violence Awareness Week by being aware of these resources and helping to break the silence surrounding sexual abuse and violence.

Let’s continue to stand alongside survivors and advocate for a safer future for all.

February: A Time for Love and Safety – Protecting Yourself from Abuse and Fraud

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, February is often seen as a time when people celebrate their affection for one another through love and kindness. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. Some abusers will use this time to increase their use of emotional and psychological manipulation, in order to further isolate and control their partner.

Some individuals may be embarking on a new relationship, and while the excitement of a first date should be thrilling, for some it can be a different story. If you find yourself on a date that feels unsafe, it is important to seek help immediately by calling 999.

Your safety should always be the priority.

Catfishing and Romance Fraud: Online Dangers You Should Know

In recent years, the rise of online dating has brought about new dangers, including catfishing and romance fraud.

• Catfishing refers to when someone creates a fake online identity to trick you into believing you’re in a genuine friendship or romantic relationship. This often happens on social media platforms, dating apps, or even through messaging services.

• Romance fraud, on the other hand, is a longer-term scam where perpetrators invest considerable time and effort into emotionally engineering their victims to gain their trust and then attempting to extract considerable funds or sensitive information.

As these scams have been on the rise in recent years, it remains crucial to be vigilant. If you’ve been a victim of catfishing or romance fraud, call 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Know that you are not alone and there is help available.

Accessing Support and Getting Help

If you have been victim of sexual abuse or violence, there is help available. The Victim and Witness Hub is a free confidential service which provides emotional and practical support to victims or witnesses to a crime in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, to help them cope and recover from the impact.

The Victim and Witness Hub supports all victims of crime, including those who don’t want to report their crime to the police. You can self-refer to the Hub by email or their freephone number, regardless of when the crime occurred.

The service is open to anyone living in Cambridgeshire who has been affected by a crime. This includes:

• Victims
• Bereaved relatives
• Parents or guardians of victims under 18
• Staff who are employed by a business that has been a victim of crime
• Witnesses of crime

You can contact the Hub by calling: 0800 781 6818

Or for more information, visit their website at: Victim Services | Victim and Witness Hub

Don’t suffer in silence, help is just a click or call away.