TIME FOR EXECUTIVE TO GIVE RAPE CRISIS CENTRE THE CASH THEY NEED

ALLIANCE Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has said that the budget must provide more cash for the Department of Health to ensure it can fund vital services for rape victims.

His comments come following revelations from an Amnesty International report by the End Violence Against Women Coalition stating that no specialised services for rape victims receive public funding in Northern Ireland.

The Strangford MLA said: “It is appalling that there are no funded specialised support services for rape victims anywhere in Northern Ireland .

“The budget simply must provide more cash for the Department of Health so that it can address this area of real and urgent need.

“The Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre do excellent work. The support that they provide for rape victims is extremely important and they need action from the Executive now.

“The Executive must step up to the mark and provide the cash needed to keep this vital service open.”