Cambridge students are preparing to launch a new counselling service for rape victims following the closure of the Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre at the end of August.

The charity, run by a collective of women on a voluntary basis, provided support, advice and information to women and girls who had been raped or sexually abused. The Crisis Centre’s services included providing victims with information about STD clinics, doctors, pregnancy tests and medical procedures, explaining legal procedures and accompanying them to the police station. It was forced to end 25 years of service due to cuts in funding and a shortage of volunteers. The Centre’s main source of funding was the RAG appeal, which this year did not provide as much funding as hoped for.

A spokesperson for Cambridge police said, “these services are invaluable to victims of sexual assaults. We have worked closely with the centre and the service they offer can be a lifeline to the those who ask for their help.”

Rape and sexual assault still happen within the Cambridge bubble and we need this service to support survivors

A spokesperson for Rape Crisis told Varsity that funding problems may claim up to half of their centres in England and Wales within a year. “It’s a vital service. Women do need somewhere to turn to where they can talk about it. Police play their part if you report [sexual assault], but they are not a counselling service. The long term ramifications can take a very long time to get over.”

Elly Shepherd, the CUSU Women’s Officer, called the centre’s closure a “frightening” prospect. “I don’t think it’s acceptable for Cambridge to be without a rape crisis centre,” she said. “Rape and sexual assault happens within the ‘Cambridge bubble’ and we need this service to support survivors. What particularly concerns me is that the people affected by this can’t shout about it and protest. There are still people calling up and getting no one.”

Elly is now working with local and student volunteers to launch a new helpline. “There has been a really big movement to do something about this. Initially the movement was to raise money to support the old service, but we realised that was unsustainable. We hope to start a more comprehensive rape advice service, whose structures fit in better with local authority funding.”

City Councillor Lucy Walker has praised the efforts of Cambridge students. “I applaud the student efforts and commitment to keep the CRCC going. However, I would say that this shouldn’t be their responsibility, and urge those in the community, especially the council, to rally round.”

CUSU’s new helpline will be officially launched at a special event on Novermber 19, which will feature readings from Ali Smith and other writers.

Lisa Hagan

Number Crunching:

84
Rape crisis centres in England and Wales in 1977

32
Rape crisis centres in England and Wales today