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06/08/2009
£3m Fund To Help Sexual Abuse Victims
The government has awarded more than £3 million to support victims of rape and sexual violence.
Rape Crisis Centres will benefit from £1.6 million from the Government's Equalities Office's (GEO) Special Fund, which is supported by the Home Office and Department for Health. These crisis facilities and associated Survivors Trust centres provide specialist services, such as counselling and advocacy, to women and men who have been raped or experienced sexual violence.
In addition, Policing Minister David Hanson announced that £1.67 million has been awarded to help establish eight new Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), as well as support 15 existing SARCs and fund 43 Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) to offer practical support for victims of sexual violence.
The government has also announced a review which will look at the treatment of rape victims in the criminal justice system and related issues.
The exact scope of the study is being finalised and details will be set out in due course. Findings of the review will feed in to the wider Violence against Women and Girls strategy.
In 2007/8, there were more than 12,000 rapes reported to police in England and Wales.
Maria Eagle, Deputy Minister for Women and Equality, said: "Violence against women, in all its forms, is unacceptable. All of us have a responsibility to tackle it: within our families, within our communities, and society as a whole.
"This fund is vital to safeguard local organisations which support those who have been victims of rape and sexual violence."
Fay Maxted, Chief Executive Officer of the Survivors Trust, said: "The Survivors Trust's member agencies make a huge difference to those affected by rape and sexual abuse.
"It is essential that victims are able to access the support provided by these specialist agencies for as long as they want to, and the Special Fund will help to maintain these services until 2010."
Lee Eggleston, Chairwoman of Rape Crisis England and Wales, said: "We are relieved that 19 Rape Crisis Centres who were struggling for survival will be able to carry on providing their vital services until the end of this financial year."
(KMcA/BMcc)
Rape Crisis Centres will benefit from £1.6 million from the Government's Equalities Office's (GEO) Special Fund, which is supported by the Home Office and Department for Health. These crisis facilities and associated Survivors Trust centres provide specialist services, such as counselling and advocacy, to women and men who have been raped or experienced sexual violence.
In addition, Policing Minister David Hanson announced that £1.67 million has been awarded to help establish eight new Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), as well as support 15 existing SARCs and fund 43 Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) to offer practical support for victims of sexual violence.
The government has also announced a review which will look at the treatment of rape victims in the criminal justice system and related issues.
The exact scope of the study is being finalised and details will be set out in due course. Findings of the review will feed in to the wider Violence against Women and Girls strategy.
In 2007/8, there were more than 12,000 rapes reported to police in England and Wales.
Maria Eagle, Deputy Minister for Women and Equality, said: "Violence against women, in all its forms, is unacceptable. All of us have a responsibility to tackle it: within our families, within our communities, and society as a whole.
"This fund is vital to safeguard local organisations which support those who have been victims of rape and sexual violence."
Fay Maxted, Chief Executive Officer of the Survivors Trust, said: "The Survivors Trust's member agencies make a huge difference to those affected by rape and sexual abuse.
"It is essential that victims are able to access the support provided by these specialist agencies for as long as they want to, and the Special Fund will help to maintain these services until 2010."
Lee Eggleston, Chairwoman of Rape Crisis England and Wales, said: "We are relieved that 19 Rape Crisis Centres who were struggling for survival will be able to carry on providing their vital services until the end of this financial year."
(KMcA/BMcc)
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Up to 36 domestic violence research projects will be boosted today by a £2 million cash injection allowing them to transfer their services into mainstream local agencies, the Home Office announced today. The projects were set up three years ago as temporary projects to research the best ways of cutting domestic violence, rape and sexual assault.
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Domestic Violence Board Expands To Include Sexual Attacks
The MPA Domestic Violence Board is formally expanding its remit and oversight responsibilities to include sexual violence and will re-launch as the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board today. Cindy Butts, MPA member and Chair of the Board said: "This is an exciting and challenging step forward.
Domestic Violence Board Expands To Include Sexual Attacks
The MPA Domestic Violence Board is formally expanding its remit and oversight responsibilities to include sexual violence and will re-launch as the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board today. Cindy Butts, MPA member and Chair of the Board said: "This is an exciting and challenging step forward.
09 March 2009
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Top Officer Calls For More 'Specialist' Rape Units
Every UK police force needs to set up a specialist unit to investigate rape allegations, a senior officer has said. Speaking on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers, John Yates, said that such teams would "help raise standards of victim care".
06 January 2015
Rape Investigation Against MP Mark Pritchard Dropped
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Rape Investigation Against MP Mark Pritchard Dropped
An investigation into rape allegations against Conservative MP Mark Pritchard have been dropped, Scotland Yard has confirmed. Mr Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin in Shropshire, was arrested on 2 December, however he was released on police bail. He has now been informed no further action will be taken.
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