On Monday 8th October our Patron Anne Milton MP spoke in Parliament about the NSPCC’s #ClosetheLoop campaign, which highlighted gaps in the law that meant those in some positions of power could legally groom 16 & 17 year olds.

Anne also talked passionately about our work and the challenges we face to manage the increasingly high demand for our service in Surrey.

Her words were met with support from Chris Philp MP.  Mr Philp is the recently appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice.  Mr Philp stated that it was his hope we would benefit directly from some of the increased funding for sexual violence support services announced by the Ministry of Justice in September.

The announcement stated that funding for rape support services is to be increased from £8m to £12m per annum from April 2020.

RASASC CEO, Lesley Devonport said “I am delighted that both Anne and Chris Philp MP recognise and support our work and can understand the challenges of balancing the needs of survivors against the funding we are given.  It is my sincere hope that the Minister’s words come to fruition and that we benefit directly from this increased funding”. 

The @NSPCC #CloseTheLoophole campaign highlighted gaps in the law that meant those in some positions of power could legally groom 16 & 17 year olds. I look forward to seeing the Government's review of this law but share the frustration that it has taken so long! @HelpRASASC pic.twitter.com/XN3byJycED

— Anne Milton MP (@AnneMilton) October 9, 2019

The woman, who was sexually abused by her stepfather from the ages of 4 to 17, had previously been denied Criminal Injuries Compensation because the abuse took place before 1979 and she had lived with her abuser at the time.

The recent landmark ruling (24th of July) means sexual abuse survivors in a similar situation will no longer be denied Criminal Injuries Compensation on this basis.

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/news/latest-news/landmark-victory-for-sexual-abuse-survivor-denied-compensation-under-discriminatory-same-roof-rule/

From today, Baroness Diana Barran takes the role of Minister for Civil Society.

Diana comes to the post with a wealth of experience in the charity sector. She founded the charity SafeLives in 2004 to help survivors of domestic violence and their families, and remained at the charity for 13 years as CEO before leaving in 2017. Prior to this, she was Head of Grant Development at New Philanthropy Capital.

Diana has also been a trustee at charities including Henry Smith Charity, Comic Relief, and The Royal Foundation, and a member of the HMIC Expert Panels – Domestic Abuse & Child Abuse, and of the National Oversight Panel – Domestic Abuse.