West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre "saved my life"
The charity has recently run out of funding for its counselling service
A woman from Worcestershire says the West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC) "saved her life".
28-year-old Ellie Bullman, who lives in Malvern, received support from the counselling service after she was raped 10 year ago.
Last week the centre announced it had to close it's waiting list after it ran out of funding for the counselling service.
Ellie Bullman said: "I think they probably saved my life. I don't think I would be here if it wasn't for them.
"It wasn't a very good time for me and almost part of it is knowing someone's going to contact you.
"It gives you a reason to push on through and I genuinely felt like they cared about me and they cared about what happened to me."
It currently has 435 men, women and children waiting to receive professional therapy and counselling but can no longer accept any new referrals.
"People need these services to survive"
An adult already on the list is waiting on average 18 months to 2 years to receive support.
The West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner has since agreed to increase funding and work with other partner agencies to ensure vital services for victims of sexual abuse can continue.
Ellie continued: "It's just mad that something as vital as this doesn't get the funding or support or the money it needs to keep going.
"I found it really quite shocking that councils can refer into the service but aren't giving them any regular funding.
"It's like, how do you even have the audacity to do that?"
Other support centres like WMRSASC around the country are also suffering from funding issues.
Unlike domestic abuse services, which local authorities have to provide funding for by law, rape and sexual violence services must source their own funding from other organisations.
Ellie added: "I think the issue is that a lot of people don't know that it organisations aren't funded and there's no awareness of it.
"But also because people don't talk about it they like to think it doesn't happen.
"We need to do more to show that it's happening to normal people and they need these services to be able to survive really."
Ove the last decade, Ellie has taken up running.
She first decided to start so she could easily get away from someone if she was ever to be in a vulnerable position again.
But since then she's realised it helps with her mental and emotional wellbeing and is now taking part in the London marathon later this year, in aid of WMRSASC.
You can support Ellie by donating via her Virgin Money page
If you've been raped or sexually abused and need support visit: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/