Sexual abuse support charity announces closure due to funding issues

28 Jan 2025 News

By wedninth, Adobe

A Chester-based sexual abuse support charity has announced that it will be closing due to “the ongoing challenge of securing and sustaining funding”.

Chester Sexual Abuse and Support Service (CSASS), which was founded nearly 30 years ago, supported survivors of sexual abuse in Cheshire, the Wirral and North Wales through specialist counselling services and a telephone support line.

Its website describes CSASS as a “women-led, feminist organisation”; it is also a member of national charity Rape Crisis England and Wales.

CSASS’ most recent annual income for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 was just over £156,000, while its expenditure was £152,000.

It had five trustees and 30 volunteers, according to the register of charities, with no paid staff.

It cited the challenge of securing and sustaining funding, a struggle which it acknowledged is “an issue that affects so many charity organisations”, as the primary reason for its closure. 

The decision to close the charity followed a formal consultation. CSASS services will continue to run until 31 January, with the charity set to close in March.

Charity recently re-registered as CIO

The charity recently re-registered as Chester Sexual Abuse Support charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in early April of last year and had transferred funds to this CIO, according to the Charity Commission website.

Its decision to register as a CIO was reportedly made in order to support CSASS’ aims and mission “while retaining its status as a charity”, according to a spokesperson.

Dawn Llewellyn, the charity’s chair, said: “We are incredibly grateful to all of the survivors of abuse who have entrusted us with support over the years, to our staff and volunteers, funders and supporters, without whom the CSASS journey would not have been possible.”

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