Sex abuse charity closes over funding 'crisis'

Savana CEO Sophia Baker said the charity needed to raise nearly £1m a year to run its services

A charity that provides counselling and support to people affected by sexual violence and abuse has closed its doors after almost 40 years.

Bosses at Savana, based in Stoke-on-Trent, said they could no longer afford to keep the service running.

They announced the closure last month, despite supporting about 2,000 people each year.

Some 30 members of staff are expected to lose their jobs.

One woman told the BBC that the charity had helped her "so much".

"I didn't think anybody could possibly help me at all," she said.

"I was sexually assaulted by someone in the community who I'd watched grow up, who I trusted.

Linda Allbutt, founder of local charity Period Power, said: "[I am] absolutely horrified at the thought that they're not going to be there to support the most vulnerable women in our communities."

Savana CEO Sophia Baker told BBC Radio Stoke that the organisation had to raise nearly £1m every year to run its services.

"Funding has got more and more difficult to secure over the years and it's become impossible - this is actually a national crisis," she said.

'Unique service'

Justine Eardley-Dunn, a counsellor and former CEO, said she felt "really, really sad" that the charity was closing its doors.

"Over the years, I have seen hundreds of people," she said.

"To think those people, and people who will continue to need a service like Savana, cannot get a service like Savana is really quite devastating."

Staffordshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's office released a statement, saying the jointly commissioned Pan Staffordshire Survive Sexual Assault and Abuse Service would not be affected.

"Staffordshire Survive will continue to provide a free, non-judgemental and confidential support service for adults, children aged over four and close family members/significant others who have been affected by sexual assault or abuse at any point during their lives in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent," the statement said.