GRASAC gets lifeline funding but warns it may still close
Gloucestershire rape and sexual abuse charity GRASAC has received short-term funding to stay open until next summer, but says its long-term future is uncertain because of a funding shortfall.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC), a charity that has supported survivors of rape and sexual abuse for more than 40 years, is facing an uncertain future after losing a major contract and grappling with rising costs.
The charity, which runs services costing about £45,000 a month, said its overall annual costs are around half a million pounds. In recent years it lost a significant contract with the police and crime commissioner, which went out to public procurement and was awarded to a larger provider. That loss has contributed to the current funding crisis.
GRASAC has been given a short-term lifeline from the local integrated care board, which means its doors will remain open at least until next summer. But after that, the charity says its future is less certain. The organisation has launched a fundraiser to help secure its survival.
The office of the police and crime commissioner said its funding had been provided through a formal contractual arrangement that was due to expire. GRASAC submitted a bid but was unsuccessful. The commissioner's office added that it was exploring whether specialist charitable sector support and expertise could assist the organisation.
Among those who have used GRASAC's services is Saxon, a 30-year-old survivor of childhood sexual abuse now living in Gloucestershire. She said the charity was "game changing" in helping her process her past and speak out after decades of silence. She described the support as "gentle and validating and trauma informed" and said the organisation was ready to help with whatever she needed.
Saxon also spoke about the importance of the charity, saying it challenges narrow perceptions of survivors. "We are everywhere and we are complex and wonderful and strong," she said.
The charity's staff and supporters are now calling for long-term funding to be secured so that GRASAC can continue supporting survivors beyond next summer.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| GRASAC lost a major contract with the police and crime commissioner after a public procurement process. | |
| GRASAC received short-term funding from the local integrated care board to stay open until next summer. | |
| GRASAC's annual running costs are about half a million pounds. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC Points West report centres on the human impact of the funding crisis, featuring a survivor's personal testimony and her emotional connection to the charity. It explains the financial specifics, including the lost police and crime commissioner contract and the short-term funding from the integrated care board, while also giving the commissioner's response. The tone is sympathetic and community-focused, highlighting the charity's importance and the uncertainty it faces.
- “I am a survivor, but I am also so many other things.”
- “just having an organisation who was so gentle and validating and trauma informed and just so ready to help with whatever you needed was absolutely game changing.”
- “In the short term, GRASAC has received funding from the local integrated care board, so its doors will remain open until next summer at least.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.