We're the leading charity in Norfolk that supports victims of sexual abuse and sexual violence, but our future funding is in doubt.
Despite more people than ever before reaching out to us for support, the funding we receive has already been cut and we believe more reductions could be on the way from the bodies that have previously funded us.
It means we have had to make tough decisions.
We want to be there for everyone who needs us in Norfolk, but without robust funding in place, that is not possible. And unless more funding is confirmed, we have to be realistic about the number of people we can support.
This year, the number of people who can access our counselling will be reduced by 20%. That means we will support 140 fewer people than we did in 2024.
We are proud of the work we deliver, and the vital support we provide to hundreds of people every year. We support people in Norfolk, aged 11 and over, who have experienced sexual violence, and have done that for more than 40 years. In 2024, we supported 636 people with clinical, specialist therapy. But that will not be the case in 2025.
Every year since 2021, we have received funding which has enabled us to support 600 people a year, or more. Now, for the first time since 2021, those numbers will be much lower as we manage reduced budgets while demand for support continues to rise.
Our chief executive, Clive Evans, explains; “Due to funding cuts, we are looking at a 20% reduction in the amount of people we can support in 2025. We’re faced with a funding shortfall, at a time when violence against women and girls has been declared a national emergency by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
“Fundamentally, without financial support from government bodies, we don’t have enough money to pay for the counselling hours that are needed to meet the demand here in Norfolk this year.”
The amount of counselling hours we offer will reduce this year, unless funding is secured
Due to rising costs, and long-term funding from organisations such as the Ministry of Justice, Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner and Norfolk’s Integrated Care Board being under question, we have had to place people on a long waiting list before they can be assessed. Something we wish was avoidable.
Clive adds; “Sadly, we are always in demand and constantly have a waiting list longer than we’d like. Our aim is to keep this to a maximum of six months. Ideally, it should be a matter of weeks.
“But we’ve now arrived at a critical point where we have had to cut our capacity by 20%, so we need to be honest with people regarding the long wait before counselling can begin. We cannot give people contacting us for the first time false hope that we will be able to see them anytime soon, because having already experienced funding cuts, and with future funding uncertainty, we don’t know what the future holds.
“We never want to turn people away; we exist to be a safe, kind and supportive place where victims can be heard and offered specialist support to heal, but the truth is, this year we cannot support the numbers who need us.”
We want to be there for everyone who needs us, as soon as we can
These funding cuts and doubts come at a time when demand for our services continues to grow.
The number of people who received an assessment for our support in 2024 rose 30%, compared to 2023. While over the past five years, we’ve responded to this rise in demand by supporting 56% more people than we did in 2020.
However, it is no longer able to sustain this level of support.
Clive adds; “While we face this immediate crisis, longer term we also need more funding to grow our capacity, so that we can be there for everyone in Norfolk who needs us, when they need us.”
In 2024, 57% of Sue Lambert Trust clients were directed to the charity by their GP, wellbeing or mental health services, because the NHS in Norfolk does not provide specialist therapy support for victims of sexual violence. The alternative is to pay for private counselling, costing around £50 to £100 per hour.
“Sue Lambert Trust has been supporting victims of sexual violence for 40 years, and we are absolutely determined to be around for the long-term. But right now, we desperately need the government and NHS to commit to more funding to meet the increasing demand for our services, instead we are told that we are not a priority and are facing further cuts.
“We’re calling on the Police and Crime Commissioner, NHS and government bodies to stop, think again and fulfil their obligations to support survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence,” Clive Evans concludes.
The vital support we provide gives people the opportunity to heal and have hope for the future