Funding for Rape Crisis centres - what do you think?

[KateMumsnet]

You might remember that, as part of our We Believe You campaign, we helped Rape Crisis raise awareness of the fact that their national helpline is currently unfunded, leaving over 250 women a week unable to get through.

Rape Crisis are now asking Mumsnetters to support them in opposing govt proposals to abolish the Rape Support Fund (the centralised pot of money out of which many Rape Crisis centres are funded) as part of the drive to devolve funding to local level.

Rape Crisis are really worried about this: local funding decisions should equal better, more appropriate services - but in fact when rape support was previously locally-funded, half their centres were forced to close. Local authorities just didn't seem to see the need for them, leaving London, for example, with just one centre to cover a population of 8m.

They're also very concerned that the new Policing and Crime Commissioners, who'd be administering the funds, just won't have the expertise to commission sexual violence services; and that they'll prioritise their policing work, leaving survivors of sexual violence unsupported.

We know that Mumsnetters have varying opinions on the subject of localism, so do let us know what you think of this particular proposal, and whether you'd like to see Mumsnet support Rape Crisis in opposing it.

Thanks

MNHQ

[MerlinScot]

I think Mumsnet should support this. Half of the rape and abuse services are shutting down due to the government cuts! Any chance we could petition against it (elsewhere of course, not on mumsnet)? Just asking for advice :)

[Preggersntired]

Rape crisis centres need whatever support mumsnet can offer...

[Whitters]

Clearly this makes sense. Rape Crisis centres cannot be put in jeopardy again. The government have a clear duty to protect the Rape Support Fund. Keep it centralised so that the shameful history of localised bugets and not supporting rape victims is not allowed to destroy such vital services. Save our Rape Crisis Centres!!!!!
I want to shout and scream about this. Anyone else????

[ComradeJing]

Yes, 100% behind this

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

I support it too.

[Slambang]

Yes. This is the sort of thing that MN is really good for - the common sense voice of a whole load of women. Please support this for us.

[gingerpig]

I support this campaign

[TheProvincialLady]

I absolutely support this campaign.

[FashionEaster]

Totally a campaign MN & MNers should support - it has mine.

[NoKnownAllergies]

Absolutely support them.

[tallwivglasses]

100% yes.

[Jellykat]

Absolutely agree to supporting them

[mrspnut]

I support this campaign too but would like to see DV services also funded directly from central government. Localism has npmeant in our county that funding has been massively cut and consequently huge areas of our very rural county have no DV support at all. When the transport system is crap and you have to travel 30 miles to the nearest support then you tend not to bother unless things are really bed so thousands of women are living in fear because the Tory county council see that cutting those services is ok instead of cutting their own expense payments.

[fotheringhay]

Adding my support too.

[tumbleweedblowing]

Supporting them in this.

People need to know that wherever they are in the country they have equal rights to access the service.

[PlentyOfPubeGardens]

Adding my support for this.

[Jux]

Rape Crisis are best placed to make the decision about how the funding should work. I am more than happy to support them.

[TheLastNameLeft]

Hi Stewie Id be very interested, yes please and thanks for your response

[Notthefullshilling]

likewise coffee I am not sure of the point you were making in your first post! Mumsnet should support rape crises becouse rape crises asked?

I have argued Rape crises should be no more priveledged becouse they asked over than the many local and national agencies that have not. Plus the concept of asking for support is what I set out to argue against. No agency should have to do that, and if they did they are asking for money that will inevitably be diverted from other causes. Not to mention the largest amount of charitable donations are from the poorest people in society, so the poor are cajolled by large media outlets to impoverish themselves somer more.

[CoffeeAhorlicksAnonymous]

NotThe, there are a large number of high profile media places which can be approached by agencies to ask for support, newspapers being my first thought. Rape Crisis has asked Mumsnet for support.

I'm not sure what you are asking. I support local agencies in need, locally. I support national agencies through relevant media.

[Notthefullshilling]

Coffee, thats very open of you to make that offer, but why should mumsnet have to be asked to supply what is in the best interests of their target audience i.e. mums.

Or to put it another way if all the agencies that were facing cuts to services contacted mumsnet hq asking for their support, do you think the mumsnet team would have any free time to actaually run mumsnet?

[CoffeeAhorlicksAnonymous]

NotThe Rape Crisis has asked for Mumsnet support, have any of the services you are talking about asked for Mumsnet support? If they do I'm sure they would recieve the same support?

[Notthefullshilling]

Thatwilldopig. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, so you intend to do good by supporting rape crises centres. So lets say you are in the position of allocating the money for them. Do you take it from central government and if so what department, or local council budgets, and if so which organisations that will be bidding for the same money will you deny.

That unfortunately is the reality of the situation, austerity is for the little people not those who have far more money to worry about ever using public services. So whilst you want to start somewhere littlepig, perhaps you should start at a completely diffrent place from where the government would like you to start

[AbigailAdams]

[Notthefullshilling]

I would also again ask mumsnet to offer support to this cause but in the context of a statement that insists all public services for women and children be fully maintained.