548 charities across England and Wales, including small and regional organisations, are now receiving funding previously announced by the Government to maintain their life-saving, specialist counselling and support services for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence and abuse during the current pandemic.
The grants are intended to allow charities to employ more staff, keep helplines open, and fund the technology needed for other forms of remote contact and support for victims and survivors, such as online video counselling.
Katie Russell, national spokesperson for Rape Crisis England & Wales said:
"These grants will provide a lifeline to our member Rape Crisis Centres, supporting them to meet the additional costs of continuing to deliver their vital, specialist, independent services to those who need them.
We are enormously proud of the way both paid staff and volunteers across our Rape Crisis movement have gone above and beyond to adapt their provision and ensure victims and survivors can continue to access the life-saving, trauma-informed support we offer at this time of significant need.
Despite the significant challenges grassroots, community-based charities such as ours face, our message to all those impacted by child sexual abuse, rape and all forms of sexual violence has remained and continues to be consistent, strong and clear: you are not alone and we are here for you."