Cash boost bails out Redcar rape charity

Mar 23 2008 by Phil Doherty, Sunday Sun

A RAPE crisis centre facing the axe because of a lack of funding has been thrown a lifeline by the Government.

The Eva centre helps the North’s sex attack victims cope with the trauma of their ordeals, but faced closure after only raising £35,000 towards their £130,000 annual running costs.

In the past, the Northern Rock Foundation had supported it with grants, but the bank’s recent financial meltdown meant there were fears the centre had no future. Now the Government has provided a £1m hand-out to keep it and seven other centres across the UK open.

Kay Davies, project manager for Eva — which stands for Emerging from Violence and Abuse — said: “The Northern Rock is the only major company in the region that regularly supported our work in helping these traumatised and vulnerable women and girls.

“But with the current problems facing the bank, we are unsure if this will continue. We hope so as they have been a fantastic supporter and fully understand the issues.

“It’s great that the Government has made this funding available but it’s just a short-term solution.

“What we need is a funding package similar to that given to Victim Support.

“We are also looking for sponsorship from businesses as this is just a short-term solution.”

Based in Redcar High Street, Teesside, the Eva team is made up of three full-time staff and one part-timer, as well as three volunteer counsellors.

Each year, they handle about 100 referrals from the police and health authorities, along with around 1250 calls in the Teesside and South Durham areas.

According to Home Office figures, there were 13,000 recorded rapes across England and Wales in 2007, but experts believe this is just the tip of the iceberg, with many women and girls not reporting assaults. Only 5.8 per cent of reported assaults result in a conviction.

Kay added: “These victims are extremely vulnerable and if this centre closes we will see a rise in self- harm, eating disorders, severe depression and other mental health problems such as obsessive compulsive disorders and post traumatic stress disorder.”

Harriet Harman, Minister for Women, said: “We’ve stepped in with this emergency funding to help stop them from closing while we sort out the longer term.

“Rape is one of the most devastating offences for victims. It violates the basic right of women, men and children to be treated with dignity and respect.”

V Anyone who wishes to sponsor EVA Rape Crisis Centre can email kay@ eva.org.uk For support following an assault, call 01642-835079.