York sexual assault charity future uncertain amid waiting list closure
The future of a sexual assault survivors charity is in the balance as funding pressures has meant it has closed its waiting list.
York-based Survive provides psychological support to help adult survivors of rape, sexual assault and child sexual abuse heal, rebuild and thrive.
In May this year, the charity announced funding pressures meant it was closing its waiting list to self-referrals.
Only those referred to its services by the combined authority of York and North Yorkshire would be eligible for the waiting list.
And earlier this week, CEO Mags Godderidge confirmed the waiting list would continue to be restricted into 2026.
Ms Godderidge said: “We help survivors to heal and move forward with their lives and, because of our positive impact on their mental health, we also reduce future reliance on overstretched NHS services.
“We know it takes adults survivors of child sexual abuse decades to tell someone what happened to them and that they prefer to access services direct from specialist agencies like Survive and not go through a third-party.
We urgently need long-term strategic funding to get our waiting list open to all survivors and to keep it open. Survivors deserve better”.
The closure marks the first time that the charity has paused its waiting list since its formation 35 years ago.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell said: “Investing in funding for the sexual violence sector not only makes a tangible difference to survivors but saves the state significant sums of money. It is a travesty that funding has not been found to re-open the waiting lists for York and North Yorkshire’s charity, Survive.
“I urge health, police and Government to understand the importance of the sector, and find a solution to this funding crisis. Commissioning a pathway for victims who report and do not report to the police through to specialist counselling and onto services which can help survivors regain confidence are crucial. Long term, sufficient funding must be prioritised.”
A spokesperson from York and North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Directorate said: “We commission a range of services for victims across the region using a data led approach, and prioritise those demands in line with the Mayor's Police and Crime Plan.
“As an organisation, we hugely value the work of services like Survive in supporting victims of crime to come to terms with their experiences.
“Since April 2021 the PFC directorate has provided over £813,000 of direct funding to Survive, as well as convening meetings with potential funding partners and signposting them to other sources of funding.
“We will continue to work to ensure that victims of crime in York and North Yorkshire are able to access the most appropriate support wherever they are."