Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre's £399,000 Lottery boost to help it expand its services - The Coventry Observer

Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre's £399,000 Lottery boost to help it expand its services

Coventry Editorial 6th Oct, 2021   0

COVENTRY Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC) has received £399,000 from the National Lottery which will help it expand its services over the next five years.

The Reaching Beyond Project will provide training and prevention work in schools and youth organisations, as well as reaching out to minority and underrepresented groups at risk of sexual violence.

An increase in volunteer recruitment will also add to the capacity of the existing team and ensure survivors can access specialist support, such as the helpline and counselling when they need it.

CRASAC’s frontline specialist, independent and confidential services are for people of all ages, genders and backgrounds who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives, including online abuse and exploitation.




It provides a safe, confidential and supportive environment to help overcome the effects on well-being, health and mental health, and regain the lost power and control because of sexual violence and abuse.

The cash is timely for the charity which is now in its 40th year and launched a fund-raising campaign to generate £40,000 to mark the milestone.


Since 1981 CRASAC – now one of the largest rape crisis centres in England and Wales – has helped more than 76,000 people with almost 60,000 calls to its helpline.

In the past year alone, almost 3,000 people, including 230 children and young people aged between five and 18, accessed their counselling, advocacy and outreach services.

Natalie Thompson, CEO of CRASAC said she was delighted with the funding which would help the charity continue to develop its specialist services across the city over the next five years.

“It will enable us to help victims and survivors to cope and recover from their trauma, and to have a voice.

“Our purpose remains the same, but as the environment we work in evolves, our services need to continuously develop and adapt to meet ever-changing demands.”

Visit https://www.crasac.org.uk/ to find out more about the charity or about getting help or support.

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