Preston-based charity Trust House who provide vital help for sexual assault victims face closure

The Trust House team at a recent event Pic: Trust House Lancashire Facebook

A Preston-based charity which operates to offers support to victims and survivors of sexual abuse, sexual violence, or rape is facing potential closure unless £500,000 can be raised in the next four months.

Trust House Lancashire operates to help victims across the county to deal with their trauma, which often involves long-lasting mental health issues.

Those helped by the charity often find life can be a constant struggle and its work contributes to reducing self-harm and suicidal thoughts; managing depression, anxiety, and stress; and improving sleep and reducing trauma symptoms like flashbacks and panic attacks.

The charity received an average of three new referrals per day over the last year, with the youngest victim aged just four-years-olds.

Despite the importance of its work, the funding crisis places Trust House Lancashire at risk of closure and a fundraising bid has been launched – you can visit the Crowdfunder page here to contribute.

Appealing for help, the charity said: “Becoming a victim of sexual abuse, sexual violence or rape can lead to mental health issues that can last a lifetime and day to day living can be a challenge for the clients that we see.

“Our work improves mental health by reducing self-harm, reducing suicidal thoughts, managing depression, managing anxiety and stress, improving sleep and reducing trauma symptoms such as flashbacks and panic attacks.

“These victims and survivors need our help, they need us to be here for them in their most desperate times of need.

“We need to raise £500,000 by 31st March 2025 to be able to keep our doors open and offering services to victims and survivors of sexual abuse, sexual violence or rape in Lancashire.”

To support the fundraising, visit the dedicated page here.

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