Sex abuse charity closes to new referrals again

A charity helping victims of sexual violence and abuse has said it has had to close its referrals waiting list just two weeks after it reopened because of "unprecedented" demand.

Survive supports adult survivors of rape, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse in York and North Yorkshire.

The charity closed its list to non-funded referrals in May 2025 and reopened it on 27 April.

Chief executive Mags Godderidge said the closure underlined the "ongoing demand for specialist support services" and the need to fund them.

The charity provides trauma-informed support work, counselling, trauma therapy and uses eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy, which works on the theory that traumatic memories have not been properly processed by the brain.

Godderidge said the waiting list was initially closed because "sustained demand outstripped available funding and capacity".

There remain 700 people on the waiting list.

"Adult survivors of child sexual abuse often live with severe and complex trauma that impacts every aspect of their lives," she said.

"Many experience debilitating PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and physical health problems linked to trauma.

"These survivors often do not trust traditional systems or statutory routes because they feel they were failed as children. For many, specialist charities like Survive are the only place that feel safe enough to ask for help."

Survive helped more than 1,900 people in the county last year, with the number of people it supports growing by more than 20% since 2022.

It reopened its list two weeks ago because of funding from the Ministry of Justice, but an "immediate surge in referrals from survivors seeking urgent support" meant it had to close again, leaving many people without access to specialist services, the charity said.

"The fact our waiting list filled again in just two weeks shows the true level of unmet need across York and North Yorkshire," Godderidge said.

"Survivors are reaching out for support in huge numbers, but without sustainable funding, we simply cannot meet the demand."

The charity said recent work with the University of York gave "clear evidence" that its services work.

"We already knew our waiting list would not stay open for long because there is simply nowhere else in York or North Yorkshire providing this wide range of specialist support free-of-charge," Godderidge said.

"The demand is there, the need is urgent, and survivors deserve access to the support they need to heal and move forward."

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line.

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