HUNDREDS of victims of rape and serious sexual assault in Somerset are waiting longer than ever before for the support they need to get their lives back on track.

More than 600 women and girls are on the waiting list to receive help from experts at the rape crisis centre covering the county.

Some of them will have to wait more than two years for assistance from Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Support (SARSAS), which is struggling to cope with high demand.

The number of people using the service as they try to recover from the trauma they have experienced has increased year on year, but this year has seen a massive 47 per cent increase.

SARSAS chief executive Clare Bloor said the service has been doing everything possible to meet demand, including investing in support groups and offering support calls to those waiting, but admits that it is not enough.

She added: “We have been weighing up the idea of whether or not to keep waiting lists open.

"At this stage we remain open and we have increased the levels of counselling by 40 per cent, but it isn’t touching the sides.

"We are pleased that rape and sexual abuse has been acknowledged as an issue that is magnified by Covid, however, short term funding will not fix this problem.

"We need long-term funding that allows us to meet ever-increasing local demand in a sustainable way.

"There also needs to be a much stronger prevention focus alongside this to prevent the victimisation of tomorrow.

"This really is a national scandal. The women on our lists come to us because they need support now, not in two years.”

The charity welcomes the funding made available over the pandemic but says short term funding isn’t the solution.

It comes with massive logistical challenges and raises expectations in the community that creates a support cliff edge.

The Covid-based funding made available has helped but this year it is only an 18 per cent increase that does not meet the 47 per cent increase in people wanting support.

This reflects the wider national picture that sees Rape Crisis report nearly10,000 people in England and Wales waiting to speak with counsellors and therapists, double the number from four years ago.

At the same time, convictions for rape and sexual assaults are plummeting nationwide.