§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the number and location of rape crisis centres assisted from central funds in England and Wales;
(2) whether he will list the amount and type of support his Department gives to rape crisis centres; and what change there has been in support for these centres since 1985.
§ Mrs. CurrieI have been asked to reply.
The Government recognise the need of rape victims for support and counselling. At local level various centres are funded by local authorities, as my predecessor explained in his replies to the hon. Member on 13 February 1986 at column 518 and 5 March 1986 at column 156. and nationally we continue to fund the London rape counselling and research project. Our support to the London centre is in recognition of the national promotional and publicity work it carries out in this field and the provision of advice and support to others setting up similar services elsewhere in the country. We do not hold centrally details of the other centres that exist, nor do we know the extent to which they receive financial support from public funds. Further information on centres in England and Wales can be obtained from the London centre at PO Box 69, London WC1X 9NJ.