The Ministry of Justice has announced that £29.4m will be dedicated to support vulnerable victims of crime over the next three years.

The victim and witness voluntary sector will receive £9.8m annually from the MoJ. This will include £3.5m a year to support the work of rape crisis centres, and £250,000 to help homicide support services cover their operational costs.

Voluntary groups will be able to bid for the money to provide the services required in their communities. This could include helping victims of violent or hate crimes, victims of domestic violence, or those bereaved by murder or manslaughter.

The MoJ said this was the first time funding has been guaranteed on a three-year basis. It said the intention was to put providers on a stable financial footing, enabling them to give sustained support to those who need it most.

Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke said: ‘The government is totally committed to supporting the most seriously affected, vulnerable and persistently targeted victims of crime, and today’s funding announcement will go a long way towards helping those who specialise in doing so to continue to perform this function.

‘By giving more guaranteed money than ever before to a wider range of grassroots groups who support victims, we will enable those with the necessary expertise to give better, more targeted and sustained support to those who need it.’

He added: ‘This approach, coupled with our plans to reduce reoffending and to break the cycle of crime, will help us achieve our goal of protecting society against crime and giving better support to the victims of crime.’

Home secretary Theresa May said: ‘Sexual violence is a dreadful crime which devastates victims’ lives. We are absolutely committed to ensuring every victim of rape has access to the support that they need to rebuild their lives.

‘That is why, for the very first time, we’re guaranteeing stable long-term funding for rape crisis centres. This is a key element of the government’s wider strategy to tackle violence against women and girls.’