A charity today claimed there has been an increase in people needing its services in light of the high-profile arrests over sexual abuse.

Suffolk Rape Crisis, which was set up in 2010, has seen a “noticeable increase” in demand in the last few months and is appealing for funding to keep its vital service going. The charity costs £200,000 a year to run, which covers the cost of four employees, plus services.

Following the launch of its counselling service in 2012, which is offered in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds, the charity is keen to expand this to the rest of the county.

Sue Raychaudri, project co-ordinator for Suffolk Rape Crisis, said there had been a recent meeting with the county’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) Tim Passmore to discuss applying for funding.

The PCC has £600,000 in a Community Safety Fund, from which he considers applications for awarding Crime and Disorder Reduction Grants.

Miss Raychaudri said: “We wanted to see how we could work together to develop the charity further because we want to offer this counselling service to all women throughout Suffolk.

“Our services are currently well used. There has been a noticeable rise since all the reports in the media (about sex abuse).

“We need more money if we want to do more outreach work and extend the counselling service.”

There are currently two independent sexual violence advisers in Suffolk but Miss Raychaudri is calling for another one to be funded. To help with funding or access the charity’s services visit www.suffolkrapecrisis.org.uk