Cllr Kevin Foster

Cllr Kevin Foster, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Coventry South, has welcomed plans set out in the Conservative Party's draft Election Manifesto to create 15 new Rape Crisis Centres nationally and to give secure long term funding to existing ones such as Coventry's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC).

Since 1981 CRASAC has provided a confidential female only support and counselling service run by women, for women and girls who have been raped, sexually abused or assaulted. They are a free and confidential service that provides support for survivors who have experienced any kind of sexual abuse of any kind at any time in their life. The counselling service is available to women and girls aged 11 years and over, whilst the helpline and Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) services are also available to men and boys aged 11 years and over.

The funding would come from implementing the Prisoners' Earnings Act 1996 to allow deductions from prisoners' earnings to be paid into the Victims' Fund. This Fund would be used to deliver fifteen new rape crisis centres – growing the network by more than a third – and give all existing rape crisis centres stable, long-term funding. In a bid to help stop sexual violence before it occurs the Conservative Party will also ensure that the school curriculum includes teaching young people about the nature of sexual consent.

The plans were part of a wide range of policy proposals to tackle crime and anti social behaviour announced by the Party. These included increased powers for local authorities to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to, any premises which are causing problems and moves to stop supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost-price which is encouraging irresponsible drinking behaviour, whilst undermining local pubs.

Kevin, said: "The impact of the work done by CRASAC to support victims and survivors of sexual abuse cannot be underestimated. At their recent AGM I was struck by the stories told by the women who spoke about their experiences and how CRASAC had helped them become a survivor. Currently their funding is part of the Area Based Grant and they have to compete with a wide range of other priorities, including vital care services. This proposal would see specific funding provided by a future Conservative Government securing their future and ensuring they can plan for the long term."