Rape-survivors' charity facing struggle to continue existence

Survivors was launched 14 years ago to work with male victims of rape and has since expanded its service to accommodate female victims after being inundated with calls for help.

Yet despite transforming the lives of many of its users – and having a growing backlog of people waiting for support – the charity is operating in dilapidated premises on a solitary annual grant of just 1,500.

Apart from the funding from the Sir James Reckitt Trust, its only other income is the voluntary donations of clients, which although gratefully received can range from 20p to a packet of tea bags.

Survivors, which has 18 volunteer counsellors and just one full-time member of staff, said it also needed to fund a move to new premises from its current council-owned base in New George Street, Hull, which has only two therapy rooms, no central heating, no disabled access and windows that cannot be opened.

Survivors' manager and senior counsellor Denise McCunnell said: "We desperately need larger premises and more sustainable financial support from both the East Riding and Kingston upon Hull to enable us to continue to offer therapy to those who have experienced historic sexual abuse and sexual violence, including rape and sexual exploitation.

"We estimate we need at least six therapy rooms to meet our current demand and reduce our waiting list, which now stands at nine males and 22 females but which does not take into account on-going referrals."

People who have been helped by Survivors have credited the charity with helping to turn around their lives – and say it offers specialist support they have been unable to access elsewhere.

Ann, 25, who was sexually abused as a child by a family friend, said she had only begun to come to terms with her trauma after being referred to Survivors eight months ago.

Ann, who is still undergoing counselling, lived in silence with what had happened until confiding in her partner and parents last year, when she also reported the abuse to police.

"A community psychiatric nurse told me about Denise and Survivors and I got in the next Saturday.

"I can't stress what a wonderful lady Denise is, she has been a Godsend. I was self-harming quite a lot and I've only done that once since then. I can't tell you how pleased I am, I rave about it to my friends and I'm back at work full-time now."

The charity's plight has been picked up by Tory MP for Beverley and Holderness Graham Stuart, who is campaigning for it.

He said: "Survivors couldn't be a worthier charity doing more important work. People who have been the victims of rape and sexual abuse should not be victimised again by a failure to provide the support and therapy they need."

Mark Charlton, assistant head of service for community safety at Hull Council, said: "The council can help charities to explore different avenues of funding and we have already been working with Survivors to support their organisation, such as offering them a peppercorn rent.

"We also have plans to meet with them next week to discuss any other ways we can offer support."

A spokesman for East Riding Council said: "We would be very sorry to see any provision for victims closing and if they want to get in touch with us we will talk through funding options with them."

To donate to Survivors or access its services, call (01482) 226677.