A charity has welcomed a move by the government to fund ten new sexual assault referral centres to give victims advice. Rape Crisis fully supports the scheme which will also fund a team of experts with £100,000, in addition to the £1.6 million pledged to build the centres. Victims will be provided with medical help, counselling, forensic examinations and advice on giving evidence anonymously. A Rape Crisis spokesperson said sexual assault referral centres are an important element in allowing victims of rape to access medical and forensic support. “The provision of a team of experts to engage with key local partners is a forward step in enabling all areas of the county to offer these services,” the source added. Currently there are 22 sexual assault referral centres and ten grants of up to £75,000 a year available for an area interested in starting a centre. A survey of 1,007 women by Rape Crisis reveals one in four women have experienced rape or attempted rape.

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13 October 2008
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