The Government has said that the money will be used to support the most seriously affected, vulnerable and persistently targeted victims and witnesses.
An important element of this latest financial initiative will be to ensure those traumatised by rape and sexual violence receive the specialist support they so desperately need and deserve.
That being the case, up to GB pound 10.5 million of this package will go directly to rape crisis centres. This is part of a wider Government commitment to increase the provision of rape crisis centres across England and Wales.
This is the first time funding has been guaranteed on a three-year basis, and will help put advice and support providers on a stable financial footing, in turn enabling them to give sustained support to those who need it most.
Voluntary sector groups will be able to bid for this money to provide the services their local communities need.
In particular, this will provide renewed funding to help:
Supporting the most seriously affected
“The Government is totally committed to supporting the most seriously affected, vulnerable and persistently targeted victims of crime,” said justice secretary Ken Clarke. “Today’s funding announcement will go a long way towards helping those who specialise in doing so such that they may continue to perform this function.”
By giving more guaranteed money than ever before to a wider range of grassroots groups who support victims, Clarke feels the Government will enable those with the necessary expertise to give better, more targeted and sustained support to those who need it.
“This approach, coupled with our plans to reduce re-offending and break the cycle of crime, will help us achieve our goal of protecting society against crime and giving better support to the victims of crime.”
Home Secretary Theresa May added: “Sexual violence is a dreadful crime which devastates victims’ lives. We are absolutely committed to ensuring every victim of rape has access to the support that they need in order to rebuild their lives.”
May added: “That’s why, for the very first time, we’re guaranteeing stable long-term funding for rape crisis centres. This is a key element of the Government’s wider strategy aimed at tackling violence against women and girls.”
Funding pool: the opening date
A spokesperson for National Rape Crisis commented: “Rape Crisis England and Wales (RCEW) welcomes the announcement of vital Government funding for existing rape crisis services.”
The spokesperson added: “Year after year, RCEW has consistently striven to achieve a level of stability for member organisations. This new funding will give rape crisis services a three-year contribution towards costs, and will enable centres to focus on additional fundraising with the confidence that they will still exist in three years’ time.”
The established fund will direct GB pound 9.8 million annually to the victim and witness voluntary sector for the next three years. This includes GB pound 3.5million to support the work of rape crisis centres and GB pound 250,000 to help homicide support services cover their operational costs.
Allocations for the homicide fund are for one year only pending the outcome of the Victims Commissioner’s report. These funds will then be allocated according to that report.
The funding pool opens to eligible providers on 31 January. 2011 funding decisions will be made by April.
