22 June 2007
Over £1.25million has been awarded to groups working with victims of sexual violence and abuse, Justice Minister Gerry Sutcliffe announced today.
The Victims Fund grants were awarded to regional and national support projects offering advice and help to female, male, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and black minority and ethnic victims of sexual violence and abuse.
In the past four years, the Government has invested £6.25 million in supporting sexual violence and abuse victims for the first time the money comes directly from the Victims Surcharge.
Justice Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said:
"Sexual violence and abuse is a despicable crime leaving its victims with severe physical and emotional damage and often a reluctance to report or seek justice.
"These projects play a vital role offering the support and advice to victims, helping them through the difficult recovery stage and easing their way through the criminal justice process.
"We need to invest in the victims and put them at the heart of the criminal justice system and I am delighted to announce this year's grant of £1.25million to these projects that offer hope and help to the victims of this abhorrent crime."
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:
"Sexual violence and abuse are vile crimes that have a devastating impact on the lives of victims and their families. That is why the Victims Fund is so important.
"Crime and violent crime have fallen by a third in the last 10 years but I recognise we have to constantly strive to improve community safety and enhance the support we provide to victims."
Notes to Editors
1. The successful projects are listed below by region.
2. The Victims Fund, established in 2004, funds a wide range of provisions for victims and witnesses.
3. The Victims Surcharge, which came into effect 1 April 2007 and is payable on top of fines levied by the courts, will generate up to £16 million a year for new and improved services for victims and witnesses across England and Wales.
4. The Sexual Violence and Abuse Action Plan was published, 2 April 2007, alongside an announcement of £2million investment into voluntary and community sector support for victims of sexual crimes.
5. Any further media enquiries on this news release or requests for interviews should be directed to Ilana Conn or Suzanne Colley at the Ministry of Justice Press Office on Tel. 020 7210 1473 / 0675.
Grants awarded by regional breakdown
| East Midlands | |
| Derbyshire Rape Crisis | £19,450 |
| Nottingham Rape Crisis | £41,108 |
| Sexual abuse and Incest Line (SAIL) | £17,767 |
| Northamptonshire Rape & Incest Crisis | £20,000 |
|
Crisis point |
£15,368 |
| Walsall Street Teams (The Jigsaw Project) | £30,000 |
| West Midlands | |
| Sexual and Domestic Abuse and Rape Advise Centre (SARAC) | £15,250 |
| Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre | £28,445 |
| Coventry Rape Crisis | £35,424 |
| The Rape and Sexual Abuse Violence Project (Birmingham) | £21,090 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | |
| Bradford Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Survivors Service | £45,106 |
| Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre | £44,607 |
| Grimsby & Scunthorpe Rape Crisis | £49,146 |
| Sheffield Women's Counselling and Therapy Service | £18,672 |
| North East | |
| Women's Support Network | £28,038 |
| Redcar & Cleveland Women's Aid | £41,724 |
| North West | |
| Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire & Merseyside | |
| (Previously Warrington Rape Crisis) | £35,370 |
| Manchester Rape Crisis | £25,635 |
| East | |
| South Essex Rape and Crisis Centre (SERICC) | £49,291 |
| HEAL (Helping Everyone Abused Live) | £38,038 |
| Colchester Rape Crisis Line | £21,931 |
| South East | |
| RASAC- Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service | £26,000 |
| (Winchester) | |
| Survivors Network | £10,406 |
| Southampton Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse | £47,804 |
| No Limits | £26,000 |
| South West | |
| WomanKind (Bristol Women's Therapy Centre) | £41,202 |
| Survivors Swindon | £35,900 |
| Plymouth Rape and Sexual Abuse Line | £12,450 |
| Twelve's Company | £35,827 |
| Womens Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre Cornwall | £32,416 |
| (WRASAC) | |
| London | |
| One-in-Four | £48,510 |
| Lilith Project/Amina Project Eaves Housing for Women | £30,104 |
| Step Forward | £32,190 |
| Galup | £35,122 |
| Wales | |
| New Pathways | £23,660 |
| Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre | £25,525 |
| National | |
| CIS'ters | £37,088 |
| VOICE UK | £28,000 |
| Respond | £50,000 |
| Survivors UK | £30,000 |
Ends