Written question asked by Margaret Moran (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 October 2006. It was answered by Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 October 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Sexual Exploitation (Children)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which government-funded projects provide support to children who have experienced sexual exploitation.

Answer: There is no central record of government funds given specifically to projects that provide support to children who have experienced sexual exploitation. Support services such as these are delivered through many central, local and voluntary funding initiatives, across a wide variety of different organisations in both the voluntary and statutory sectors, including health-related services. This year, through the Victims Fund, the Government are investing £1.25 million into voluntary and community sector specialist services for victims of sexual violence and abuse, including organisations that offer support to child victims. This takes the total investment to £5.25 million since 2004.The Home Office is supporting the development of a national network of sexual assault referral centres. Five of these SARCs provide medical care, counselling and forensic examination specifically for children. Other SARCs have the capacity to refer children needing help and support. The Department of Health recently distributed £12 million capital funding for 2006-07 to primary care trusts, NHS trusts and networks to spend on capital projects to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.Successful projects included establishing a number of sexual assault referral centres within paediatric services.

Secondary information