Survive, the only specialist and TST accredited sexual violence charity serving York and North Yorkshire, has made the deeply difficult decision to temporarily close its waiting list to new unfunded referrals from Tuesday 13 May 2025.
This step comes in response to prolonged and increased demand for their services—demand which Survive cannot meet through the funds it currently receives.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly,” says Chief Executive Officer of Survive, Ms Mags Godderidge. “The safeguarding risks associated with survivors waiting too long for our specialist services and trauma-specific care are significant. We cannot, in good conscience, continue to accept new referrals from survivors of sexual trauma knowing we simply do not have the resources to see them quickly.”
Survive currently has over 700 adult survivors on its waiting list—many of whom are living with psychological distress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks and panic attacks as well as anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviours. Nearly two-thirds are adult survivors of child sexual abuse which is associated with later mental ill health, substance misuse, homelessness, and vulnerability to re-victimisation.
“For years, our dedicated and hard working team have been delivering more and more with the same or less resources. We have continually been asking for long-term strategic investment in this sector both locally and nationally and whilst the recent announcement by the Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips MP is welcomed, we need further clarity as to when extra funding will be released.”
Survive’s services and interventions are proven to reduce psychological distress and trauma symptoms and help survivors to cope with everyday life. Despite the waiting list for new unfunded referrals temporarily closing, Survive is very much still open – delivering specialist services to more than 100 survivors each week. The helpline is also still available Mon-Thurs from 10am – 12 noon on 0808 145 1887.
Survive also continues to campaign and advocate for survivors. They are an active member of Act on IICSA (“ick-sa”) which seeks the full implementation of all 20 recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), led by Professor Alexis Jay. While Ms Godderidge is presenting at two upcoming webinars in June, designed for commissioners of services and those responsible for safeguarding or policy development, to discuss the needs of survivors of sexual violence and abuse and the challenges specialist voluntary sector services face in coping with the ever-growing demand for these services:
Webinar: Evidencing the need for specialist sexual violence and abuse support
10th June |10:30 – 12:30
https://thesurvivorstrust.beaconforms.com/form/2cdcb906
Webinar: Importance of Specialist Sexual Violence Voluntary Sector Services
11th June | 2:00-4:00pm.
https://thesurvivorstrust.beaconforms.com/form/06ed00b5
“Leaving survivors without access to specialist care is heartbreaking,” said Ms Godderidge. “We ask all stakeholders to work with us to find a solution. Survivors deserve better.”
You can support us and survivors of sexual violence and abuse by writing to your local MP and telling them why it is so important for services like Survive to be properly funded. A template letter is available here.
For further information, please contact:
Mags Godderidge (Chief Executive)
Survive – Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence
📞 01904 638813
📧 ceo@survive-northyorks.org.uk
🌐 www.survive-northyorks.org.uk
