South Yorkshire is set to benefit from more than £1 million in funding from the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RASASF) over the next two years.

Barnsley Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Services, Doncaster Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Service and Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (SRASAC) work to support recovery from the emotional and psychological distress caused by trauma from rape, sexual violence or sexual abuse/exploitation whenever it happened in a persons’ life and is supported by funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Sheffield will receive £154,980 between August 2023 and March 2023 and £258,300 for the year to March 2025.

Barnsley will receive £379,913 split over two years, with Doncaster receiving £283,822 in the same period.

The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RASASF), initially launched in 2011, is part of the government’s commitment to quadruple funding for victim support services by 2025 compared to 2010.

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, said: “These organisations provide a vital service to victims of sexual violence, sexual abuse and exploitation in their areas.

“These services are supported with funding from my office, local councils and national funding from the Ministry of Justice. These collaborative efforts, boosted by this additional funding, will help them continue to provide support for those who need it and provide a measure of stability.

“Sexual violence is a serious crime and I’m pleased we can strengthen the support provided to victims.”