Centre for assault victims opens

A centre that provides specialist care for victims of sexual assault is being officially opened in West Sussex.

The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), based at Crawley Hospital, provides support for up to 84 people.

Victims can have medical examinations, receive counselling and give statements to police officers all in one place.

Sussex Police hope the centre, which has been operating in Crawley since September, will encourage more people to press charges.

'More confidence'

Following its official launch, anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault will be able to refer themselves to the centre for support and advice, including having forensic samples taken, without the police being involved.

The victim can also be referred - but only with their consent - by organisations such as the police, voluntary and victim support groups, schools, colleges, hospital A&E departments and GP surgeries.

Sussex Chief Constable Martin Richards said: "I believe that victims of sexual assault, who use the services of the SARC, will have more confidence in the investigation and criminal justice process, making victims less likely to withdraw complaints and therefore more likely to see justice."

Kevin Davies, of West Sussex Primary Care Trust, said: "We welcome this partnership with Sussex Police and West Sussex County Council, to enable such a vital service for people, not just in this area but across the whole of Sussex.

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