Time To Take Action – Rape Crisis (England & Wales)

Posted on April 16, 2009
Filed Under England, Funding, Government, Rape and Sexual Assault, Wales, Women's Group | Comments Off

(NB Please see update to this message about last minute funding 31/05/09)

You may be aware that, for yet another year, Rape Crisis groups have so far received no information about the Victims Fund, a source of Central Government funding that some centres are currently dependent upon for the delivery of their services.

Rape Crisis (England & Wales) has now made contact with the Government Equalities Office letting them know we can no longer wait for a response from Maria Eagle MP and that we will now be taking collective action.

We are well into the financial year 2009-2010 and some Rape Crisis centres are being forced to serve staff with redundancy notices because they have no idea whether they’ll be able to afford to continue paying their salaries next month.

RC (E&W) asks that groups who are affected by this lack of Victims Fund information contact their local MPs in writing to explain to them the serious impact this is having on organisations, workers, volunteers and, most importantly, service users. Please also e-mail sheila@sericc.org.uk to let her know about any responses you receive, as she is gathering all relevant information to enable her and the Rape Crisis Policy & Strategy Team to continue their important work in representing member centres at a national level.

If groups have contacts in the national press or want to contact the media, could they send a press release stating the difficulties they face, demanding some information about the fund, and highlighting the need for the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to ensure this does not happen next financial year.

If you are an individual who wants to support this campaign, why not contact your nearest RC centre (you can find their details on the rapecrisis.org.uk website), find out what their situation is and offer your assistance.

Rape Crisis (England & Wales) general issues/points are:

* The Victims Fund was only ever agreed as a one year fund. This is in direct contravention of the Government’s own COMPACT, which states that no fund should be made available for less than 3 years

* There should be more money in the fund (the money comes from the victim’s surcharge – fines in court)

* The needs of ‘victims’ of sexual violence are worth more than this annual debacle (this has been going on for at least four years now)

* The lack of communication is appalling, this is also not in line with the Government COMPACT

If any Rape Crisis groups are facing closure or having to cut back on services because of the Victims Fund not being announced, could they please contact Chris Bennett, our National Co-ordinator, and let her know if they would like to talk to the national press directly – chris@rapecrisis.org.uk

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