A CHARITY which offers support to victims of sexual and domestic abuse has had funding withdrawn by the Government, meaning a proportion of its services will close.

EVA Women's Aid, based in Redcar, were told in March that their bid for funding from 2019 to 2022 was unsuccessful.

The service has provided support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse in Redcar and Cleveland since 1987.

Their services include sexual violence support and specialist counselling to children and young people of all genders, and to adult females.

The withdrawal of funding means some of these services will cease from June 2019.

Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar, brought the issue to debate in Parliament yesterday.

Speaking in Westminster Hall, she said: “It goes without saying that the support EVA provide is a lifeline to their clients, with whom they have worked hard and carefully to develop sensitive relationships and build up trust. It is because of this record that EVA are a very well respected organisation in the local community, led by Richinda and her fantastic team of staff.

“Five of EVA’s twenty three staff could now be affected by this move. These are specially trained rape counsellors providing specialist support who could now be lost because of a short-sighted funding decision.

“Ministers cannot simply pass the blame to local commissioners. This is funding that has been directly provided to EVA from central government and it is central government that has taken the decision to withdraw it with very little notice.”

In his reply, Justice Minister Edward Argar MP confirmed the result of the funding competition would not be reviewed.

Commenting afterwards, Ms Turley said: “The Minister’s response was disappointing and failed to acknowledge the funding pressures due to central government cuts. This will be more bad news for EVA who are desperately trying to find the funding needed to keep services going after June. It just shows austerity is far from over and yet again it’s the most vulnerable who are left to suffer.”

Richinda Taylor, CEO of EVA Women's Aid, said: “The response has been that those in need of our services can go to other places, which is a lovely idea but other organisations which have been recommended won’t receive funding in this area being Redcar and Cleveland.

"Whilst I’m disappointed to hear that news I am not surprised.

"We will not be closing and we are still offering first class services, but a significant proportion of our services will cease."