Calls to protect North East Rape Crisis Centres
Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland say they’ll struggle to cope if vital funding is cut much more.
It’s as sexual offence crimes are up by 60% for Northumbria Police, who dealt with 2,444 incidents in the past year.
Police believe it could be down to more victims having the confidence to come forward and report crimes.
However, with more victims coming forward we’re told it’s more important than ever that support services are safe from budget cuts.
Dawn Bowman, from Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland, said:
“Women and girl services should not be the easy cut. We are already underfunded and already struggling to meet the needs of women and girls. If we are cut further it will impact the support we are able to offer.”
“One of the most important pieces of funding that we receive nationally is the rape support fund from central government and that is not confirmed whether it will be in place from the 1st April. That is vital funding to secure and stop rape crisis centres closing.”
Over the last five years Northumbria Police has suffered the worst cuts in the country. Despite the Government’s announcement in December of increasing Northumbria’s spending by £0.8 million, the Government grant has been cut by £1.25 million (0.6%).
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said:
“The rise in the number of sexual offences doesn’t mean this type of crime is on the rise, it’s about the number of people speaking out. The ‘Yewtree effect’ has led to an increased willingness on the part of the victims to come forward and report historical sexual offences and I welcome this.”
“There has also been a series of pro-active operations and campaigns as well as improved crime recording. With victims finding their voice and speaking out, it’s essential that Northumbria Police is fully equipped with specialist officers, fully trained to provide the appropriate support to these victims.”
“While The Chief Constable and I are doing our very best to preserve the high standards of policing that we are used we will have to look at all options to use our resources in the most efficient way in light of the changing demands on the modern police service.”