Bradford Rape Crisis has been forced to make cuts to its services and put women on a waiting list because of a shortage of cash. Joanne Earp reports.

Casualty, the BBC's hard-hitting hospital drama, has dealt with most major issues in its time.

Tomorrow night viewers will see nurse Tina Seabrook finally admit that she has been raped by a patient.

As she struggles to come to terms with what has happened, her colleagues advise her to report the incident to the police and have professional counselling.

Programme makers say Casualty is a useful tool in tackling important issues in a sensitive way. A spokesman said: "In some cases the storyline can offer support to people who have suffered a similar experience and it encourages them to seek help."

For thousands of women each year the traumatic events experienced by this fictional character can be all too real. But a lack of funding to organisations such as Rape Crisis means many survivors are left talking to answer machines rather than counsellors.

Bradford Rape Crisis is bracing itself for more cuts to its services after failing to secure a £60,000 grant from Bradford Council for 1997/98. Support staff say although the £42,000 handout guarantees the organisation's survival, it is just not enough.

The shortfall means its helpline is now staffed for just one afternoon a week, and some survivors who require face-to-face appointments are being put on a waiting list. To make matters worse the organisation says the search for funding is getting more and more difficult each year.

Elaine, a counsellor with Bradford Rape Crisis, said: "We have had three applications for National Lottery funding turned down and each time we were told that it was a good bid. The problem is that there are so many other organisations competing for the money."

And while organisations like Rape Crisis are held in high regard, counsellors fear that their value is often underestimated.

Elaine said: "People would be up in arms if emergency services like the police, fire and ambulance weren't taken seriously and didn't get proper funding. Well, for many women we are their emergency service and we would love to be here for them 24 hours a day."

Sarah Lala, a co-ordinator at Bradford's Canterbury Advice Centre, agrees. She said: "A lot of women contact us before they contact the police. They might be lacking in confidence and could feel very isolated - in which case it could be easier for them to speak to us.

"For some women this service is vital and for those who are in a violent relationship it could really be a matter of life and death."

The Canterbury Advice Centre, part of Bradford Family Service Unit, helped more than 2,300 men and women last year.

The common assumption seems to be that these organisations, which are all vying for the same funding, all offer the same service. Sarah said: "It would be wrong of people to think that this service can be provided by another group - this is a unique organisation offering help and advice on a range of subjects from domestic violence to benefit claims.

"If we aren't able to help we can act as a link by putting people in touch with other organisations such as Rape Crisis or Victim Support."

Bradford Victim Support helped more than 11,000 people last year, but it still relies heavily on fundraising to keep it going.

In addition to a grant from the Home Office the branch needs to raise approximately £10,000 a year.

Co-ordinator Mira Dey is worried at suggestions that too many organisations are doing the same type of job.

She said: "We provide support and practical assistance for victims of all crimes, including rape. We are not a counselling service but we do offer a support system for victims who have to take their case through the courts or who want practical assistance with things like compensation claims."

Bradford Rape Crisis, Bradford Victim Support and the Canterbury Advice Centre all offer vital services.

Whether or not every one of them will be able to secure the necessary funding to ensure their survival in the years to come is another matter.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.