13 July 2009

Extra funding for NSW Rape Crisis Centre

Crisis intervention services for sexual assault are to be expanded following a 129 per cent increase in victims seeking counselling and support over the past three years.

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said an extra $616,000 in funding was being provided by the State Government to expand the NSW Rape Crisis Centre service.

“The Centre provides professional state-wide 24/7 telephone and on-line crisis intervention, counselling, information, referral and support for adult and child victims of sexual assault and their supporters,” the Minister said.

“The additional funding will enable more people to receive face-to-face and telephone counselling in metropolitan and rural NSW.

“Sexual assault is an extremely distressing crime against women and it is important victims get the appropriate support and professional counselling services they need to help rebuild their lives after such a traumatic experience.

“The Rape Crisis Centre’s 24-hour telephone counselling service provides important support and crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault to ensure their safety, and help them through the trauma of their experience.

“Calls and contacts to the Centre have greatly increased as awareness of the service has grown and the new funding will allow the NSW Rape Crisis Centre to meet the demands on its services,” the Minister said.

“In 2008/09 the centre received 6,730 calls compared to 2,927 in 2004/05.

“This funding will also allow the NSW Rape Crisis Centre to provide services for adult survivors of child sexual assault.

“The centre is a non-government organisation (NGO) administered by Sydney South West Area Health Service and funded through the NSW Health NGO Program.

“The $616,000 enhancement in funding is in addition to the $867,177 the organisation already receives from the NGO program,” the Minister said.

For counselling and assistance, telephone 1800 424 017 or go to www.nswrapecrisis.com.au for more information about the Rape Crisis Centre.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au