SAFE! originated in Oxfordshire Youth Offending service where staff had become worried that many children were not receiving support following an experience of victimisation, and this was affecting their education, health, relationships and behaviour.
In 2009 a multi-agency steering group launched the Oxfordshire Young Victims of Crime Project, and after 18 months published a course book for young people,’Why Me?’, and a handbook of guidance, ‘Are You Okay?’, to disseminate good practice nationally. Following the success of the Oxfordshire pilot, further funding was provided by the Home Office and Oxfordshire County Council to enable the provision for young people affected by crime to continue.
In 2011 the project was established as the charity SAFE! Support for Young People Affected by Crime, which was launched at Thames Valley Police HQ by Sara Thornton, the Chief Constable. In 2014 SAFE! began to expand its work beyond Oxfordshire in the wider Thames Valley region, initially in Buckinghamshire. SAFE! has been running a Police and Crime Commissioner contracted service for young victims of crime across the Thames Valley since 2015.
Late 2014 also marks the start of the Building Respectful Families Project, after it was recognised that there was a huge gap in provision locally for families experiencing Child and Adolescent on Parent Violence and Abuse.
SAFE! continues to grow and has now developed a range of services to respond to the needs of children and families affected by sexual abuse and domestic violence, as well as other forms of crime. Alongside direct interventions for children, parent and carers, we offer a range of award winning professional training courses and high-quality student placements. We have also developed resources for teachers and other professionals.
SAFE! has successfully achieved accreditation with three different quality marks:
- NCVO Level 1 Trusted Charity Award from May 2024
- The Survivor’s Trust National Standard for our ChIDSVA services from September 2025
- Cyber Essentials Accreditation from January 2023
