Home / Health / Sexual Violence Charity Closes Referrals Again
Sexual Violence Charity Closes Referrals Again
13 May
Summary
- Referral list reopened for only two weeks before closing.
- Demand for services outstrips available funding and capacity.
- Hundreds are on the waiting list for crucial support.
A charity providing vital support to victims of sexual violence and abuse has been forced to close its referrals waiting list for the second time. Survive, an organization dedicated to helping adult survivors of rape, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse in York and North Yorkshire, initially closed its list in May 2025.
Reopening on April 27, 2026, the charity's services were overwhelmed by demand, leading to another closure within just two weeks. This situation underscores the significant and ongoing need for specialist support services, with 700 individuals currently on the waiting list. The charity emphasizes that many survivors require specialized, trauma-informed care not readily available through traditional systems.
Survive, which supported over 1,900 people last year, experienced a more than 20% growth in service users since 2022. The recent funding from the Ministry of Justice allowed for the reopening, but an immediate surge in referrals demonstrated the sheer level of unmet need. The charity highlighted research with the University of York that validates the effectiveness of its services.
