What funding the Government are providing for rape crisis centres in the next two financial years.

The Government recognise the vital role played by voluntary and community sector rape crisis centres. Decisions on the victims' fund and funding for independent sexual violence advisers for the coming financial year will be announced by the relevant Departments in the near future.

I thank the Minister for her reply and hope that we can conclude that there is some optimism about future funding. She will know that the reporting of violent sexual offences compounds the trauma that victims have already experienced, and it is extremely important that facilities are there to make it as easy as possible for victims. Of course, the police cannot take action unless the crime is reported. Will she take that on board when she is considering funding so that we can ensure that rape crisis centres have the funding to continue?

I thank the hon. Lady for those remarks, which I take on board. I am visiting rape crisis centres at present and we recognise that they face significant financial challenges. I would like to underline the fact that there has been no reduction in Government funding for sexual violence support services. This year, the Government will invest £3 million in support for victims of such crimes, including more than £1 million for rape crisis centres. We are core funding Rape Crisis England and Wales and the Survivors Trust. We are working with rape crisis centres to do what we can to ensure that they get the necessary funding.