Rape Crisis Centre in crisis

April 21, 1999
Issue 

Rape Crisis Centre in crisis

By Stephanie Roper

EESYDNEY — The NSW Rape Crisis Centre has been threatened with loss of funding after operating in deficit for the last two years. The centre says it has been forced into a budget deficit by the high level of demand on its services.

The centre is expected to offer all women in NSW 24-hour crisis counselling, as well as community development and information services. However, not enough funding was provided by the state government to adequately staff a 24-hour service.

On an average shift, the one worker can expect to receive up to 15 calls on three phone lines. Women who have found the courage needed to ring the centre can expect a two-hour wait before their call is returned.

While the centre is expected to serve women from around the state, it was not funded for travel. Neither did it receive funding to cover the cost of offering a free call phone number for women in rural areas, although 54% of all calls come in on the 1800 number. For women outside Sydney who have been sexually assaulted, the isolation and lack of other services make the free call service essential.

The centre has registered an increase in the number of people requiring information and training about sexual violence issues. The centre's inadequate funding has made it difficult for the service to meet this need.

A consultant has been employed by the government to assess the centre's use of funding and budget requirements, but the centre is also completing a self-assessment. To assist this, the centre is asking all people who have used (or attempted to access) the service to phone 1800 817 227 between 7am and 7pm on April 27 to 30 with feedback.

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