Sammy Woodhouse voices disappointment as Rotherham misses out on vital rape and sexual abuse support fund grant

by | Oct 10, 2023

Image: Sammy Woodhouse

Rotherham’s exclusion from the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RSASF) winners’ list has left Sammy Woodhouse, a survivor and advocate, deeply disheartened.

The RSASF grant, worth £26 million, saw organisations nationwide striving for a share earlier this year. Rotherham was absent in the winnings despite neighbours Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley all being successful. 

Sammy Woodhouse, 38, a voice for survivors, underscores the dire need for support services in Rotherham, particularly for the multitude who have suffered. 

She said: “Once again our government has shown us where their priorities lie and it certainly isn’t with vulnerable children and adults.”

Yet, amid Rotherham’s disappointment, there is a silver lining for the rest of South Yorkshire. The region is stated to receive over £1 million in support over the next two years. 

The Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, has secured a substantial £413,280 allocation.

The Doncaster Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Service and Barnsley Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Services stand to benefit from grants of £283,822 and £379,913 respectively.

During the previous funding cycle spanning 2019 to 2022, the Rotherham Abuse Counselling Service received £96,000 over three years. 

The lack of funding into Rotherham comes as a shock to the community after the Rotherham Sex Scandal still being an ongoing battle for residents, who feel that more investigations are needed to protect the young girls and survivors of Rotherham.

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