MP tables EDM calling for more support for rape survivors

Wera Hobhouse MP has tabled an Early Day Motion demanding that the UK fully comply with the Istanbul Convention and ensure a minimum level of specialist support is provided to victims and survivors of sexual violence.

The EDM also praises the work of Fern Champion, whose petition on the issue has garnered over 153,000 signatures, and has already attracted cross-party support.

To ask your MP to support this Early Day Motion you can download a template letter here and find your MP here

In an update shared with her petition supporters today (26 April) Fern says:

“We are going to need as many MPs as possible to sign their names to it so please contact your MP *right now* and ask them if they care that as you are reading this, rape crisis centre waiting lists throughout the country are closed. Ask if they will stand with the 153,000 people who have already signed my petition and create real change that will mean that nobody will ever be turned away again from life-saving services like I was.

“As always, thank you SO much for all your support so far. Today’s EDM really would not have happened without you. I am still being contacted by women who have had similar experiences to me and you only need to read the comments of the petition to feel how widespread the impact this underfunding crisis is. To all those who have reached out to me personally, and those who have shared their stories via the petition, I promise I have heard you. Over 153,000 people have heard you. And we will all keep fighting.”