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Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, today announced £1.6million for Rape Crisis Centres and The Survivors Trust sexual violence charities across England and Wales.

The charities provide invaluable support and specialist services, such as counselling and advocacy, to women and men who have been raped or experienced sexual violence. Many victims were attacked years ago or when a child, but may not have previously spoken about or reported the crime.

Today's funding is on top of £1.1million announced last March. Not one Rape Crisis Centre1 has closed since then, and the fund has so far supported twenty rape centres.

The Government has prioritised tackling rape, supporting victims and prosecuting perpetrators: the number of rape convictions is 46 per cent higher today than in 1997, and around £11million has been invested in services for victims over the last five years. This includes 28 Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), which provide immediate medical care, counselling, and legal advice to victims all in one place from professionally trained staff. There is a commitment to have one in all police force areas across England and Wales by 2011.

Ms Harman said:

"Rape is one of the most devastating offences. This fund is important to safeguard the local organisations who support women who have been the victims of rape."

On top of the funding, the Government is working closely with Rape Crisis England and Wales and The Survivors Trust to help them secure long term funding for their members - for example from charitable trusts, donations, Local Authorities, as well as central Govt sources such as grants and the Victims Fund. A series of workshops are being held to bring together local bodies and charities, research is being conducted, and a cross-Government working group has been established to help achieve this.

Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith said:

"Rape is an appalling crime and I am determined to ensure that every victim has immediate access to the services and support they need. I want more victims to feel confident to come forward and report these crimes so that we can bring the perpetrators to justice. This special fund will support the important work of organisations supporting victims of sexual violence, which provide essential support and advice to victims.

"We also recognise the need to do more to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place, which is why we recently launched the largest cross government consultation on ending violence against women and girls - asking the public what more we can do to prevent and challenge the attitudes that condone it. I urge both men and women to feed in their views."

Health Minister Ann Keen said:

"The Department of Health is committed to ensuring that victims of sexual assault continue to receive the necessary support and specialist services to help them overcome these traumatic experiences. That is why we are contributing significantly to today's investment for charities.

"Sexual assault can have devastating and long term consequences on the health and wellbeing of victims and charity run services such as Rape Crisis Centres play a vital role in helping those who have experienced any form of sexual violence, to come to terms with their experiences."

Fay Maxted, CEO of The Survivors Trust, said:

"The Survivors Trust works to ensure that there is equality in the provision of public funding for all agencies supporting victims of rape and sexual abuse. We are extremely pleased that Harriet Harman has announced this fund for The Survivors Trust and Rape Crisis member groups."

Christina Diamondopoulis, Wycombe Rape Crisis Centre, member of Rape Crisis (England & Wales):

"Our centre, which had developed a wide range of services and training, was hanging by a thread until we received the emergency funding. We had been reduced to providing a helpline service only, and that was due to close down too. The funding enabled us to reinstate a worker, as well as deliver volunteer training, counselling, and other support services."

The £1.6 million Special Fund is a cross-Government initiative involving the Government Equalities Office, Department of Health, and Home Office.

Justice Minister Maria Eagle also today announced a new £3.7 million Government grant for the UK-based POPPY Project which helps victims of human trafficking, many of whom are sexually exploited.