Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) current and (b) historical victims of child sexual abuse in (i) England and (ii) Southampton Test constituency.

We recognise the devastating impacts of child sexual exploitation and abuse on victims and survivors and are committed to ensuring that specialist support is provided to help all victims and with their long-term recovery. Supporting victims of all forms of child sexual exploitation abuse, regardless of whether it takes place online or in our communities here in the UK or elsewhere, is a priority for the Government.

The Home Office funds a range of victim and survivor support services via the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse fund (SVSCSA). These vital national services support child and adult victims and survivors, including through the provision of support lines; in-person and remote counselling for victims and survivors and their families; online psychoeducation resources; and training for professionals working with victims.

Recognising the significant role that therapeutic support can play in helping victims and survivors to recover from the devastating impacts of their abuse, the Home Office has committed a further £1.6 million to scale up national support for adult victims of child sexual abuse. The Home Office will also fund the CSA Centre in 2025/26 to develop and deliver evidence-based training for those working with victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

We will continue to work across Government to ensure that future funding for support services enables victims and survivors to access and receive better care and support.