One step forward, two backwards for Rape Crisis

News that Rape Crisis has had to downscale its services for women in the Wellington region reflects the Government’s lack of commitment to reducing violence against women says Labour’s spokesperson for Women’s Affairs Sue Moroney.

“Requests for assistance and support have almost doubled in the past year and without a secure, long-term funding source frontline protection for women is threatened.

“Sexual violence is on the increase in New Zealand and the Government is making it harder for organisations like Rape Crisis to respond,” Sue Moroney said.

The agency has been forced to cut its service to four days a week after it was faced with a $55,000 funding shortfall this year.

“This situation reinforces just how far we have to go as a society before the Government can trumpet initiatives aimed at reducing violence. These are essential services for vulnerable women and their families.

“Too often in this sector we see one step forward and two steps backwards.

“Women’s safety needs to be a priority. Here we have an agency making a difference in women’s lives and yet it still struggles to secure funding.

“These organisations don’t operate in Paula Bennett’s ‘wrap around’ bubble. They function in the real world and are as vulnerable to rising costs as the rest of us.

"The Minister of Women's Affairs, Jo Goodhew, is clearly failing her own goal of improving safety for New Zealand women.

“She has only set herself three underwhelming goals for New Zealand women and she isn't making any progress - in fact the safety of women is going backwards,” Sue Moroney said.