The Wireless

Sexual violence funding boost 'bare minimum'

08:03 am on 1 May 2014

The Government's funding boost for specialist sexual violence services has been described as the bare minimum needed to keep the sector afloat, Radio New Zealand reports.

The Government announced on Wednesday a $10 million funding boost in next month's budget for sexual violence services to provide immediate relief to those which are struggling.

New Zealand First says the Government has known about the state of the sexual violence sector for years and the new funding is an election year bribe.

The Labour Party says the funding is the bare minimum needed to stop specialist services from having to close their doors.

But Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says officials identified that $10 million would be enough to sustain the sector for the next two years, however she acknowledged more money would be required long term.