 The region is poorly equipped to help victims of rape or violence |
Thousands of women in Yorkshire have no support services available to them if they are victims of rape or violence, a report has found. The Equality and Human Rights Commission said the region was generally "poorly equipped" to support and protect victims of sex attacks.
However, Sheffield in South Yorkshire was singled out for being one of the best equipped areas in the country.
A report by the commission highlighted a postcode lottery for services.
In Leeds, one in five women have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking in the past 12 months, the report said.
Yet there are no Sexual Assault Referral Centres in the Yorkshire and Humber region, and Rape Crisis Centres are closing.
The commission said urgent action was now needed for women affected by violence and rape.
Chairman of the commission, Trevor Phillips, said: "We are saying to public authorities, we are putting you on notice.
"You have to get up to the level of the nine or so best authorities - places like Sheffield - which do provide . . . a place for [women] to go and give them the opportunity of safety."
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