MP vows to help charity build its service

Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, is to aid a charity which provides support to the victims of sexual abuse.

During a recent visit to the headquarters of Survivors, based in Hull, Graham heard how the charity is overwhelmed by the number of people referred to it for help without any funding being available to cover the additional costs.

Graham said: “Survivors is a special charity. It supports people whose lives have been scarred by sexual assault. Volunteers and staff are dedicated to giving victims of sexual abuse the help they desperately need.

“The charity is working from very small and unsuitable premises in Hull, but helps clients from across the East Riding as well as the city. Judging by the number of referrals they receive and the high opinion of users of their services it is essential that they are put on a more sustainable financial footing. .”

Denise McCunnell MSc, Manager/Senior Counsellor for Survivors (Hull & East Riding) told Graham: “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, sexual violence, including rape and/or 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 from the local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), the Single Point of Access Service, Police, Probation, GPs, the Crisis Centre at Hull Royal Infirmary, Domestic Violence organisations (DVAP and DAP) from the East Riding and Hull, Social Services and Victim Support.”

Graham has promised to champion Survivors in its bid to gain more support from the local NHS and other local funders.

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.”