Victim Support Dorset has been chosen to provide a range of services to support victims of crime across the county.
The new service, which comes into effect next month, is for five years.
Support will be available for victims of crime such as burglary and robbery, anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse.
It will be available in a number of ways, namely through one-to-one support with a caseworker, group work and digital support including through Victim Support’s online support tool, My Support Space.
Team members will inform victims of their rights and the services they’re entitled to as well as the ability to refer them to other specialist organisations that can provide further support.
The free services provided by Victim Support Dorset will be available whether a crime has been reported to the police or not and at any point during an investigation.
Funding for victims’ services is provided to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) by the Ministry of Justice.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “I am delighted to award these important contracts to Victim Support Dorset following a robust procurement process.
“As part of my Police and Crime Plan, one of my key priorities is dedicated to putting victims and communities first and I am very clear that the needs and experiences of victims of crime need to be at the heart of everything I do.
“I am absolutely committed to ensuring victims of crime have access to the best services in Dorset and that’s why I am so pleased to continue the positive working relationship we have built with Victim Support over the years.”
Rebecca Chaplain, Area Manager at Victim Support, said: “We are delighted to be delivering this vital support service to thousands of victims across Dorset.
“Our specialist staff tailor support to each individual, helping them to cope, recover and rebuild their life after crime.
“As an independent charity, victims can access our services regardless of whether or not they have reported to the police.
“We are particularly excited that this new service will offer victims different ways to receive support, whether that be one-to-one with a caseworker, in a group setting, or using our online resources.”
Victim Support Dorset can be contacted on 0300 3030 163 or Supportline 08081689111 out of hours.