Boris Johnson: Give Back Survivors UK Funding!

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The Issue

Originally, Survivors UK was funded £70,000 by the ministry of justice, which is a standard amount for a centre according to their 2014-2016 report. But,according to Survivors UK, the biggest male rape centre in the UK (which is based in London), since Boris Johnson has been in control of their funding since March 2015 they were cut off completely, but were then given £26,000 and now rely on charitable funds. This is a ridiculous cut back, especially as it was made when there was a 125% INCREASE in men appealing to metropolitan police in London about sexual assaults and rapes. Worse, more cuts are on the way. Although I appreciate there are less male victims than female victims, the ministry of justice funded £4.88 million for female only or mixed centres from 2014-2016 across England and Wales and yet none are for male only centres. To say £26K is enough for a centre that has a waiting list of 50 people, is ridiculous. A pebble is nothing to stand on against a box and it is insulting that male support is interpreted as something that is not a necessity compared to female support.Please help me reimburse their proper funding; at least one male only centre in the UK (especially one at the heart of our country) should be  funded sufficiently. 

avatar of the starter
Jasmine De VerrePetition Starter
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Prime Minister
Responded
“Dear Petitioner Thank you for the petition submitted on the change.org website about a UK Male Rape Centre and more Rape Centre Funding. This is an important issue and there should be no doubt about the trauma these victims go through and the difficulty that many find in reporting the awful crimes they have experienced. The Mayor is committed to ensuring the right level of sexual violence provision throughout the capital. In order to gain a full picture of need and demand, the Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) has, along with NHS England London region, commissioned a pan-London sexual violence needs assessment. The research will provide an understanding of the comprehensive needs of people affected by Sexual Violence and also Child Sexual Exploitation, to help understand trends, demands, and capacity issues in order to make realistic projections of future needs. MOPAC is undertaking a Call for Evidence from providers and your organisations are encouraged to participate if you feel you are able to contribute useful information on behalf of male survivors. If you would like more information please contact enquiries@mopac.london.gov.uk. Current provision does exist: MOPAC provide funding for the Havens, which provide immediate support to both male and female victims of sexual abuse and funding is also provided to support LGBT victims of domestic and sexual violence. MOPAC is keen to build capacity in this sector and, to this end, provides funding through a Small Grants Fund to the charity Respect, who are designing service standards for work with male victims of domestic violence and will provide training and support to enable London organisations to become accredited male victims service providers. The standards will provide clear guidance on what a safe and adequate service looks like. MOPAC also funds frontline support services through Victim Support, where those victims who report their incident to the police are automatically referred. This is in line with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime and, as victims of more serious crimes, male survivors of rape or sexual abuse receive an enhanced service. Finally, services for male victims of abuse are also well supported at the national level by the Ministry of Justice. They are funding face-to-face support in 12 centres across England and Wales, including one in London. You can find more information on the Government website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-support-for-male-rape-and-sexual-violence-victims. Yours sincerely Public Liaison Officer ”
David Cameron MP
David Cameron MP
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party

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Petition created on 1 January 2016