Funding Boost For Rape And Sexual Assault Victims

Victims of rape and sexual assault will receive a 50% funding boost to help with specialist support services.

The boost to fund for victims of rape and sexual abuse across England and Wales will benefit from the increase to funding, which will see a total of £32 million over 3 years, going to rape support centres.

The support for victims includes face-to-face support as well as counselling.

The government has guaranteed the 50% extra funding, increasing the money available from £8 million per year to £12 million, giving support centres more stability and security. Centres can now “focus on delivering services that victims so desperately need.”

Victims Minister Wendy Morton MP said:

“Rape and sexual violence are devastating crimes and victims must have the confidence that support will be there when they need it.

“That is why we have increased funding twice already to ensure no victim is left to suffer alone.

“We know there is more to do, but through the Government’s Victims’ Strategy we are continuing to improve the support on offer at every stage of the justice system.”

Katie Russell, spokesperson for Rape Crisis England & Wales, said:

“Rape Crisis England & Wales is pleased the Ministry of Justice has increased its Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund.

“With demand for Rape Crisis support, counselling and advocacy services continuing to rise, this gratefully received funding increase is a welcome contribution to the increasing need for specialist services among victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, rape and all forms of sexual violence.”

Between March 2018 and March 2019 there were 58,666 recorded incidents of rape in England and Wales. Since 2008 there has been a yearly increase in the numbers of reported incidents, with the biggest increases seen year on year since 2013.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 20% of women and 4% of men have experienced some type of sexual assault since the age of 16, equivalent to an estimated 3.4 million female victims and 631,000 male victims.

The funding will ensure that there is help available for victims in all 42 of the country’s Police and Crime Commissioner Areas.

As well as the announcement of the 50% uplift in funding, there was also an announcement that there will be a £1 million investment to recruit more Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) who will also provide advice and support for victims. ISVAs act as a link between support services, police and criminal justice agencies.