14th August 2012

More than cake stalls needed to meet Rape Crisis funding shortfall

The Public Service Association says Wellington Rape Crisis should not have to rely on cake stalls to meet a funding shortfall which is forcing it to cut back on services.

Wellington Rape Crisis has announced that due to a lack of funding, it is cutting its services by 20 per cent and will be closing its doors on a Friday.

“That represents a significant reduction and is a clear illustration of how chronically underfunded the sexual violence and community sector is,” says PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott.

“Government funding to organisations like Wellington Rape Crisis is inconsistent and unsustainable, while at the same time community demand for their services has increased significantly along with basic running costs.”

“A 2009 Sexual Violence Taskforce recommended sustainable and consistent funding for these organisations but so far little action has been taken,” Brenda Pilott says.

Wellington Rape Crisis is now trying to raise another $55,000 before April next year just so it can break-even and on its website it is suggesting a range of community fundraising activities such as selling baking and homemade goods.

“We all know the great work that Rape Crisis does in our community and it does that work on a shoestring. It’s clear that the shoestring is now at breaking point and it’s vulnerable women who will pay the price,” Brenda Pilott says.

“It’s about choices and priorities and the government needs to step in and acknowledge the impact that years of static funding is having on valuable community organisations and commit to more sustainable funding before many are forced to close their doors for good.”

“The $55,000 that Wellington Rape Crisis needs is a drop in the bucket compared to the value and service it provides to the community. It should not have to go cap-in-hand to the community or rely on cake stalls to raise it.”

ENDS

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