Key facts

Extent of sexual violence

• 45% of women in the UK have experienced some form of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking.
• It is conservatively estimated that 80,000 women suffer rape every year.
• 31% of children who are sexually abused reach adulthood without telling anyone.
• Statistics on survivors who report the sexual violence to the police are just the tip of the iceberg - only 10% of women who access Rape Crisis centres report to the police.

Impact of sexual violence

• Sexual violence can have profound effects on individuals, impacting on physical and mental health, inter-personal relationships, ability to work or study etc.
• The cost to the state of sexual violence was £8.5 billion in 2003-04, with much of this cost being lost outputs, due to long term health issues.

Key findings from Map of Gaps research into violence against women services

• Most women in the UK have no access to a Rape Crisis centre.
• A third of all local authorities have no specialist violence against women support services.
• Fewer than one in ten local authorities has specialist services for ethnic minority women that would address forced marriage, female genital mutilation and crimes in the name of honour, amongst other issues.

Gender Equality Duty

• This legislation requires all public bodies to promote equality of opportunity between women and men, and to eliminate harassment and discrimination.
• Sexual violence is a gendered crime, perpetrated overwhelmingly by men against women and children. It is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres

• Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) are a relatively new phenomenon and the SARC model was developed to ensure high quality criminal justice responses to survivors of (primarily recent) sexual assault
• SARCs provide very different services to those delivered by Rape Crisis centres. The majority of SARCs are statutory-led and generally provide services to those who have been recently assaulted, whereas Rape Crisis centres are independent, provide long-term support and women-only space, and support survivors who have experienced recent and historic abuse and/or have complex needs.

Key resources

Latest statistics on Rape Crisis centres
WRC and Rape Crisis (England and Wales) (2008), The Crisis in Rape Crisis. A survey of Rape Crisis (England and Wales) centres. WRC: London.

How and why local authorities should address funding to Rape Crisis centres
WRC, Rape Crisis (England and Wales) and NAVCA (2007), Briefing for local infrastructure organisations on the ‘Crisis in Rape Crisis’ and sexual violence policy drivers, WRC: London.

Shows the geographical postcode lottery of violence against women support services
Coy, M., L. Kelly and J. Foord with V. Balding and R. Davenport (2007), Map of Gaps: the postcode lottery of violence against women services. EVAW in partnership with the EHRC: London.

Outlines the differences between Rape Crisis centres and SARCs and why both are needed
Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, Rape Crisis (England and Wales), EVAW and Fawcett (2008), Not either/or but both/and: Why we need Rape Crisis centres and Sexual Assault Referral Centres. Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit: London.

Toolkit to hold public bodies to account by using the Gender Equality Duty
EVAW and EHRC (2007), Tools for Change: Public Sector Equality Duties and Violence Against Women. EVAW: London.

Sexual Violence and Abuse Action Plan and Implementation Guide
Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Sexual Offending (2007), Cross Government Action Plan on Sexual Violence and Abuse. HM Government: London.