A £76 million package of support to ensure the most vulnerable in society get the support they need during the pandemic has been announced by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick today (Saturday 2nd May 2020).
The funding will support survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse and modern slavery, as well as ensuring vulnerable children and young people continue to get the help they need.
The government recognised that the instruction to stay at home will be a huge cause of anxiety to some people, including victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse. They also acknowledged that frontline charities have worked hard to continue their work during the pandemic and at the same time, there may be increased risks for people trapped in abusive or exploitative situations.
The new funding announced today includes £10 million to support victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse to access specialist support, through the funding of counsellors for frontline sexual violence and abuse charities and technology to enable them to offer services remotely.
Katie Russell, national spokesperson for Rape Crisis England & Wales said:
"We're pleased with today's announcement, on behalf of our specialist Rape Crisis movement and the victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, rape and all forms of sexual violence we support.
We're grateful that the Ministry of Justice has worked with and listened to us, and other specialist charity sector providers, to understand the particular needs of the people we work with.
We have been enormously proud of the way both paid staff and volunteers across our Rape Crisis movement have gone above and beyond to ensure victims and survivors can continue to access the life-changing and life-saving support we offer at this time of such widespread need.
This funding will support specialist Rape Crisis Centres to sustain this provision throughout the current period."