UK rape crisis centres forced to turn away victims as need rises and cash runs out

Jocelyn Anderson, chief executive of West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, says: ‘All caseloads are over capacity and we’ve already cut the therapy service to the bone.’ Photograph: Jacob King/PA

Rape crisis centres that provide support and counselling to victims are being forced to shut their waiting lists across the country because a lack of funding means they can no longer meet the demand.

Staff at centres from Scotland to Somerset have described waiting lists as long as 18 months for access to counselling, therapy and advocacy services, with some deciding to close lists altogether.