WORK to secure proper funding for a crisis-hit county rape and sexual abuse support service looks set to start after urgent calls for more money were backed by councillors.

The West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC) said it will no longer be taking on more people for counselling due to a lack of money and was in desperate need of at least £800,000 to meet current demand and clear the waiting list.

Worcester City Council has agreed to work with Worcestershire’s MPs, the region’s police and crime commissioner as well as the NHS and social services to commit to long-term statutory funding to allow the support centre to continue carrying out its “valuable and life-saving work.”

Cllr Griffiths said she was devastated to hear the service would be closing its doors to new referrals whilst it clears the backlog of over 400 people currently waiting for support.

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council agreed to hand over a combined £320,000 to the support centre to ensure that its vital service continues for the moment, but the money pledged so far would not allow the service to reopen its waiting list or clear its backlog.

“This means that men, women and children will find themselves without a support service going forward unless there is a long-term funding plan in place,” Cllr Griffiths said during a full city council meeting at the Guildhall on Tuesday (July 13).

“At the moment, sexual violence support services receive no statutory funding from the government and many are run by charities working with police, social services and the NHS to accept referrals.

“This isn’t sustainable and services across the country are operating with extensive waiting lists meaning for many victims they are unable to access the support they so desperately need.

“We know that rape is one of the hardest crimes to prosecute and the statistics for convictions and prosecutions in West Mercia do not make for good reading and we know that sexual violence against children is worryingly high.”

Cllr Lynn Denham said the number of referrals to the service every month was a “frightening measure” and joined the call to secure longer-term funding.

The support service says it needs at least £400,000 a year to cover services in Worcestershire alone.

“These aren’t just numbers. They do indicate a huge level of trauma, hurt and pain. There are very long-reaching effects from abuse and rape.”

Last week, WMRSASC chief executive Jocelyn Anderson said the funding boost was a “step in the right direction” but the service needed proper long-term funding so the region’s survivors could be supported.