Commissioner Allen responds to Tees Valley Inclusion Project findings on ethnic minority victims of sexual abuse failings.

Commissioner Allen responds to Tees Valley Inclusion Project findings on ethnic minority victims of sexual abuse failings.

She said “the findings of the investigation highlight the work that needs to be done around ensuring all victims of sexual abuse and honour-based violence are treated with respect, dignity and compassion, regardless of ethnicity, gender, race or any other characteristic.

“As an office we have worked hard in recent months to rectify the areas in which were detailed in the findings as opportunities to improve on the practices associated with sexual abuse investigations. This has involved providing funding for research, training and community work, in order to better understand and eradicate the issues of this kind that is faced within County Durham and Darlington.

“We are proud to work with Yasmin Khan, who is part of the Tees Valley Inclusion Project, by appointing her as Vice Chair of our Rape and Domestic Abuse Panel. Along with facilitating cross board partnerships with HALO charity, which will continue into the new year. We value Yasmin’s contribution to our continued efforts for change in ensuring ethnic minority victims of sexual abuse no longer feel a lack of support and inconsistency during investigations.

“As PCC for the area, I have also worked closely with the Force to ensure that we are complying with the Victims’ Code of Practice and are putting victims at the heart of everything we do. There is still a long way to go to ensure we address all of the issues detailed within these findings, however I look forward to the future and working with Yasmin to ensure we create a system that is fair and just for all.”

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