'Really difficult decision' to close rape crisis helpline - staffed by local female volunteers
The helpline has been in operation for the last 14 years but is now struggling to get funding
Last updated 12th Feb 2025
A Devon charity is making what it describes as "really difficult decisions" to secure its future.
Devon Rape Crisis has announced its anonymous support helpline and email service will close at the end of this month.
The helpline has been in operation for the last 14 years and the charity says it has been the "foundation" of the support they offered with 204 women giving up their spare time over those years to answer the phone to local survivors from Devon and Torbay.
The helpline and email service have predominately been funded through national and local funding - with local funding coming to an end on March 31 this year.
Chief Exec Dr Davina Cull, said “Without doubt this service has made a huge impact in our community.
"Whilst we are sad about having to make this decision, we want to recognise and celebrate the commitment that our volunteers and staff members have given during the last 14 years.
"In that time, they have taken over 7,000 calls and given over 12,000 hours of voluntary service which have resulted in a £250,000 social value return.
"As we re-imagine our new ways of working which will include retaining volunteers, we want to pause firstly to thank our volunteers and staff members for their unwavering commitment and contribution to this important work”.
All volunteers received 16 weeks of training which leads to an accredited qualification in supporting survivor/victims of rape and sexual abuse.
Mandy Barnes, Community and Partnership Manager, added: “Having managed the volunteers and helpline for the last eight years I am in no doubt that the helpline has changed and saved lives. It is a courageous act to answer the phone and not know what you will be presented with, but our volunteers confidently respond by using their advanced listening skills and their deep understanding of the power of simply sitting with a survivor in solidarity.
“Each helpline shift, where volunteers also answer emails and make calls to survivors waiting for therapy, is always different.
"The volunteer or staff member could encounter a survivor reaching out for the first time, or a caller who is in distress and intent on ending their life. The range and breadth of caller’s needs has always varied considerably between each call. Sometimes our volunteers are on a rollercoaster of emotions on each shift.
"So, giving up a Friday night to volunteer when most people are settling down for the weekend, or out for dinner with their friends and family, is more than just community service, it is courageous”.
Co-Chair of the Trustees, Linda Regan, MBE, said “Whilst making these decisions are always difficult, we can’t sustain service delivery at the rate we have in recent years because we are facing significant funding pressures.
"Despite growing demand for our support, which has increased by 300% since we first opened our Rape Crisis Centre, we are having to plan our future service with a third less funding for 2025/2026.
"At a time when the Criminal Justice System is letting victims of rape and sexual violence down, and other statutory and community services are stretched, a failure to invest in relatively cheap, yet effective support services like ours, seems such a short-sighted situation.
"We will continue to do all we can to fundraise and be there for the thousands of survivors in our community, and where funding allows, continue to offer therapy and specialist support. But it is with a heavy heart that we are having to close our helpline and email service which has offered such vital local support for 14 years”.
Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services will be promoting the use of the National Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone over the age of 16. This can be accessed by calling 0808 500 2222. There is also a live chat facility here 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.
For children and young people, the Charity promotes Childline, which is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can call them on 08001111 or visit the website to send an email or have an online chat with a counsellor.