This new report shows that in many parts of the country, services for women who have experienced violence are chronically under-funded or simply do not exist. Women shouldn’t be subjected to this postcode lottery.

This is a call to action for everybody who cares about this issue, and a firm reminder for those in local and national government with the power to make a difference. Urgent effort must be made to provide funding and support to ensure that all women can get help whenever they need it and wherever they live.

Please use the following link to view the Map of Gaps 2 Report.

http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/data/files/map_of_gaps2.pdf

Devon Rape Crisis Service (DRCS), based in Exeter, is seeking new members to join its Board of Trustees.

Devon Rape Crisis Service is a specialist support service for women and girls living in Devon who have experienced any form of sexual violence, recently or in the past.

Not either/or but both/and: Why we need Rape Crisis Centres and Sexual Assault Referral Centres

The development of provision for victims-survivors of sexual assault has historically been piecemeal and locally specific.

Rape Crisis Centres (RCCs) and, more recently, Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), have been established in certain parts of the UK but there is a lack of uniformity.

There is currently confusion at the political and policy levels in understanding the role each type of service plays in supporting victims-survivors and in terms of which is most actively promoted. It would even appear that the government is an exponent of SARCs whilst the opposition supports RCCs.

This briefing shows that both RCCs and SARCs are vital for survivors and delivery of policy targets: this is not a case of either/or but both/and.

Read Why we need Rape Crisis Centres and Sexual Assault Referral Centres

Devon Rape Crisis Service was officially launched by Totnes Tory MP Sarah Wollaston on Monday, November 28.

Anne Walker MBE, Moira MacDonald, Anna, Fee Scott, Carly Macnamara & Linda Regan

Debo Sellis & Fee Scott

Saxon Spence, Debo Sellis, John Hart & Sarah Wollaston

Lee Weeks Patron Speech

Lee Weeks, Heather Barnes & Sarah Wollaston

Rape and sex abuse victims will be given the support they need when the county's first rape crisis centre is launched.

Devon Rape Crisis Services has set up the centre to provide support services for sex crime victims, thanks to Government funding.

The new service will be officially opened by Totnes Tory MP Sarah Wollaston on Monday, November 28.

She has been a key figure who pushed for central Government money and successfully lobbied the Ministry of Justice for financial support.

The new service will provide a confidential and anonymous telephone helpline and face-to-face support. There will also be support for partners, friends or relatives.

A service to help rape and sexual assault victims across Devon is being launched.

The Devon Rape Crisis Service said it would provide a helpline and face-to-face support.

Devon and Cornwall Police said about 600 women report rape or sexual assault in the county each year.

The Ministry of Justice has funded the project and provided about £250,000 for the service, which will offer phone support for 20 hours a week.

The money will fund running costs of the first year and a proportion of the second and third, the chair of the board of trustees Linda Regan said.

After calling the helpline, volunteers will offer support in person, across the county.

Ms Regan said the current support services in Plymouth, will be extended across the county.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-15914958

Devon Rape Crisis Service has recently formed and is getting ready to deliver services to women across the county who have experienced rape, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse or any form of sexual violence.

To do so, we need to recruit volunteers to work on our telephone helpline and to offer face to face support and advocacy to women.

Volunteers receive acredited training, support, supervision and expenses and the next course starts in February 2012.

If you are interested please contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator, Anna on 01392 208756 or anna@devonrapecrisis.org.uk