A charity that supports sexual violence survivors, RASA Merseyside is currently facing a financial crisis due to the increase in demand for its services. With a £100,000 shortfall in the budget, the charitable organization has been forced to cut down staff while struggling to maintain the crucial role of providing support to the victims.
The governmental funding they receive has remained unchanged since 2019 despite the rise in operational costs as a result of National Insurance rates.
RASA Merseyside survivors left in limbo as funding crisis deepens
RASA assists women and children suffering from sexual violence through independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs), offering navigation during the legal processes. The charity had 2,700 referrals last year, however, it has lost financial resources, forcing them to cut back on ISVA employees and now, a children’s support worker is expected to be let go.
RASA’s ISVA manager, Becca Beresford, stated that ‘Each remaining adviser is now handling 60 to 80 cases at a time.’ Beresford further expressed that the charity has had to introduce a waiting list due to the increasing demand for RASA’s services.
This demand is unsustainable, with estimates expecting further increases over the coming years. Many survivors will be left unsupported in the criminal justice system, allowing offenders to remain unpunished.
Last year, Anna became a survivor who sought help from RASA explained her story while sharing that the RASA’s immediate intervention enabled her case to get to the police within a day, and even when her abuser was found not guilty, RASA continued their support.
“I feel like I wouldn’t have survived without them,” Anna stated. “Without their help, I would have felt completely lost.”
A call for urgent action
The integration of the women’s march in Liverpool brought attention to the issues that RASA is facing due to the funding gap that the organization is currently struggling with. RASA has also expanded its reach due to the rise in National Insurance contributions by £33,000 adding to its existing strain.
Wood Lorraine who is the Operations Manager for RASA argued the impacts of sexual violence are much more widespread than people perceive.
“Those are not just figures. These are daughters, sisters, mothers, fathers, brothers, sons, and friends which means lives,” she explained while calling out to the public to make a stand for the victims.
The charity sector in the UK has controversially been defended by the government stating the issuance of £6 billion in tax relief and further guaranteed financial aid. RASA is very clear that to avoid some of the most essential services that aid survivors from disappearing, immediate action is required.