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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/dec/11/sexual-assault-counselling-victims-services-demand-unprecedented-funding
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| Sexual assault victims waiting a year for counselling, MPs say | Sexual assault victims waiting a year for counselling, MPs say |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Sexual assault victims are waiting up to 14 months for counselling as specialist support services struggle to cope with unprecedented demand, MPs have said. | Sexual assault victims are waiting up to 14 months for counselling as specialist support services struggle to cope with unprecedented demand, MPs have said. |
| A report by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on sexual violence said specific support services for victims could cease to exist completely due to the lack of funding and a surge in the number of people needing help. | A report by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on sexual violence said specific support services for victims could cease to exist completely due to the lack of funding and a surge in the number of people needing help. |
| Figures show that in 2017-18, Rape Crisis services were used by 78,461 people, an increase of 17% on the previous year. At the end of that year, there were 6,355 victims on Rape Crisis waiting lists, and the wait for counselling ranged from three to 14 months. Some centres had to close their waiting lists due to lack of funding. | Figures show that in 2017-18, Rape Crisis services were used by 78,461 people, an increase of 17% on the previous year. At the end of that year, there were 6,355 victims on Rape Crisis waiting lists, and the wait for counselling ranged from three to 14 months. Some centres had to close their waiting lists due to lack of funding. |
| The report said: “The impacts on victims and survivors who have been subjected to sexual violence and abuse and then are unable to access specialist support cannot be overstated and must not be lost sight of. | The report said: “The impacts on victims and survivors who have been subjected to sexual violence and abuse and then are unable to access specialist support cannot be overstated and must not be lost sight of. |
| “While different sources of funding are guided by different processes and priorities, there is a growing consensus that the unprecedented growth in demand, coupled with the scarcity of resources, is threatening the very existence of the specialist sexual violence sector, with significant consequences for victims and survivors.” | “While different sources of funding are guided by different processes and priorities, there is a growing consensus that the unprecedented growth in demand, coupled with the scarcity of resources, is threatening the very existence of the specialist sexual violence sector, with significant consequences for victims and survivors.” |
| Scrap juries in rape trials, Labour MP suggests | Scrap juries in rape trials, Labour MP suggests |
| The APPG called for evidence from specialist sexual violence services in June and held oral sessions in October. The report found: “Sexual violence and abuse support services have been described as at crisis point. Need and demand for their specialist services from victims and survivors of all forms of sexual violence and abuse are at unprecedented levels and continue to rise year on year. | The APPG called for evidence from specialist sexual violence services in June and held oral sessions in October. The report found: “Sexual violence and abuse support services have been described as at crisis point. Need and demand for their specialist services from victims and survivors of all forms of sexual violence and abuse are at unprecedented levels and continue to rise year on year. |
| “Many Rape Crisis centres and other specialist providers operate waiting lists for their services and some have had to take the difficult decision to close their waiting lists. It can take a lot of courage to reach out for support and services describe it as ‘agonising’ and ‘soul-destroying’ to not always be able to provide this.” | “Many Rape Crisis centres and other specialist providers operate waiting lists for their services and some have had to take the difficult decision to close their waiting lists. It can take a lot of courage to reach out for support and services describe it as ‘agonising’ and ‘soul-destroying’ to not always be able to provide this.” |
| MPs highlighted the use of short-term grants and contracts, forcing smaller charities to divert “too much time and energy” to secure cash. The report said: “As it stands, the government’s commitment in the 2016 Violence against Women and Girls strategy that by 2020 ‘no victim will be turned away’ will not be achieved.” | MPs highlighted the use of short-term grants and contracts, forcing smaller charities to divert “too much time and energy” to secure cash. The report said: “As it stands, the government’s commitment in the 2016 Violence against Women and Girls strategy that by 2020 ‘no victim will be turned away’ will not be achieved.” |
| It called for urgent action to be taken and made recommendations “to prevent the destruction of the specialist sexual violence and abuse sector”. These include calls to: | It called for urgent action to be taken and made recommendations “to prevent the destruction of the specialist sexual violence and abuse sector”. These include calls to: |
| • Create a statutory right to specialist sexual violence and abuse support services. | • Create a statutory right to specialist sexual violence and abuse support services. |
| • Set minimum standards for levels of specialist sexual violence service provision across England and Wales. | • Set minimum standards for levels of specialist sexual violence service provision across England and Wales. |
| • Ringfence funding for sexual violence and abuse support services “so that the resources of these services are not subject to political whim and favour”. | • Ringfence funding for sexual violence and abuse support services “so that the resources of these services are not subject to political whim and favour”. |
| • Make local services write a “victim’s promise” document setting out the needs of victims and survivors, the availability of services and the local strategy to improve accessibility. | • Make local services write a “victim’s promise” document setting out the needs of victims and survivors, the availability of services and the local strategy to improve accessibility. |
| • Give services contracts of at least three years, preferably five. | • Give services contracts of at least three years, preferably five. |
| • Audit the local allocation of funds for specialist sexual violence and abuse services, making sure women-only services are protected. | • Audit the local allocation of funds for specialist sexual violence and abuse services, making sure women-only services are protected. |
| A government spokesperson said: “Rape and sexual abuse are devastating crimes – no victims should be left to suffer alone. | A government spokesperson said: “Rape and sexual abuse are devastating crimes – no victims should be left to suffer alone. |
| “Funding for victim support services has nearly doubled to £96m since 2013, including a 10% increase next year for specialist sexual abuse services. | “Funding for victim support services has nearly doubled to £96m since 2013, including a 10% increase next year for specialist sexual abuse services. |
| “We also recently guaranteed funding for a three-year period, offering long-term stability and encouraging more victims to come forward to get the support they need.” | “We also recently guaranteed funding for a three-year period, offering long-term stability and encouraging more victims to come forward to get the support they need.” |
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