The Home Office has pledged an additional £1.25m for voluntary sector services providing support for victims of sex crimes, as part of its Victims Fund.
"This additional funding will help local community-based organisations to support victims in the immediate wake of a crime, provide practical help and advice in the longer-term and counselling where needed to help victims through the criminal justice system, " said Fiona Mactaggart, a junior minister at the Home Office.
The funding adds to the £4m injected into the Victims Fund over the past two years. During this time, 108 grants have been awarded to voluntary and community sector services providing crisis centres, helplines, legal advice and counselling services.
"These crimes are some of the most damaging physically and emotionally to victims and it is essential that they receive advice, information, support, care and counselling to meet their individual needs," Mactaggart added.