Cllr Ben Duncan

Brighton & Hove City Council has agreed to conduct an investigation into local support services for those who have experienced rape, with a view to examining whether the council can improve them. It will also consider asking the Government to fund a National Rape hotline, to provide round-the-clock, seven day a week access to immediate support and referral for victims of sexual crimes, directing callers to local services where possible.
 
Green Cllr Ben Duncan, who brought the issue to the Full Council meeting and speaks for the Greens on Community Safety, said:
“I’m really pleased to have received cross- party and unanimous support for action on this important issue. It’s a national scandal that anyone who has experienced such a horrific crime should be left feeling unable to even tell someone else what has happened – yet recent figures suggest that 40 per cent of adults who are raped tell no one.
 
“Since the closure of Brighton Rape Crisis Project in 2002 survivors and victims of rape and serious sexual assault in the city have been able to access only limited specialist support services for a few hours a week, including those funded by this council and provided by the Survivors Network. There is no round-the-clock support available for victims of sexual crimes beyond that operated by Sussex Police. While Sussex Police provide a good service in dealing with reports of rape and supporting victims, many sexual crimes go unreported, and many victims do not choose to go to the authorities.
 
“Conducting a review of local services can only be a good thing, and should mean the council does everything it can to enhance the support give to survivors of rape.
 
“On the National Rape Crisis hotline, Greens adopted this as party policy at our recent party conference. The aim is to ensure people get help as and when they need it – and no one is left to suffer a postcode lottery of rape services. That the Tories and Labour have backed our calls shows just how much support there is for introducing this national hotline. I hope the Government is listening.”

For more information about the Greens view: www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk