CRASAC SECURES ALMOST £400K TO EXPAND SERVICES ACROSS THE CITY

Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC) has been awarded £399K in National Lottery Funding to expand its specialist support services across the city.  

Over the next five years the charity will use the grant to deliver its ‘Reaching Beyond Project’ – a project which will provide training and prevention work in schools and youth organisations, and reach out to minority and underrepresented groups at risk of sexual violence.  

An increase in the recruitment of volunteers will also add to the capacity of the existing team, ensuring that survivors are able to access specialist helpline and counselling support services when they need it.  

CRASAC’s frontline specialist, independent and confidential services are for people of all ages, genders and backgrounds who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. This also includes online abuse and exploitation. 

Now in its 40^th year, the charity provides a safe, confidential and supportive environment to help overcome the effects on well-being, health and mental health, and regain the lost power and control because of sexual violence and abuse. 

Natalie Thompson, CEO of CRASAC said:  

“We are delighted to be able to secure funding to continue to develop our specialist services across the city over the next five years. It will enable us to help victims and survivors to cope and recover from their trauma, and to have a voice. 

“CRASAC is one of the largest rape crisis centres in England and Wales and in 2020/21 alone we helped 2,235 people who have either been directly or indirectly affected by sexual abuse.  

“Our purpose remains the same, but as the environment we work in evolves, our services need to continuously develop and adapt to meet ever-changing demands.”