18th July 2012

WEST DORSET: New victim support centre opens

VICTIMS of sexual assault have access to better help with the opening of the county’s sexual assault referral centre.

The doors to the centre opened last month to provide multi-agency support to victims of rape and sexual assault under one roof.

The centre – a partnership project led by Dorset Police and NHS Dorset and supported by Dorset Rape Crisis Support Centre – will provide victims with the help that they choose.

The Bournemouth based centre will include crisis support, counselling referral, health and welfare information, police and forensics (if they decide to report). Victims who self-refer do not have to report the assault to the police.

At ARC (Assault Referral Centre) Dorset, they will be given all the necessary information so that they can make an informed choice about whether or not to do so. If they do decide to report the offence, they will be informed and supported throughout the process.

Detective Superintendent Sara Glen has been part of the partnership team integral to creating ARC Dorset.

She said: “At ARC Dorset, we want victims to feel safe and sheltered at what is a very traumatic time for them.

“Dorset is a very safe county but those who do fall victim to rape and sexual assault deserve the highest quality of care possible from their multi-agency service providers. This is what ARC Dorset aims to provide.

“Whereas previously it would not have been clear to a victim the full range of services available to them following an attack, now they can access multi-agency support by picking up the telephone to ARC Dorset.

“This means that, initially, when everything is still so raw they will not have to explain their story over and over again.”

ARC Dorset is a partnership initiative with Dorset Police, NHS Dorset, local authorities and other statutory and voluntary organisations.

It is provided by Harmoni for Health, an independent sector service provider.

David Hillier, ARC Dorset manager, said: “ARC Dorset provides comfortable and welcoming surroundings for victims of rape and sexual assault and their families or supporters.

“As well as providing access to crisis support, medical examination and advice and counselling referrals, we also try to focus on the smaller things that make a difference – like a cup of tea, a hot shower and a change of clothes.

“We ask anyone reading this to let as many people as possible know about ARC Dorset.

“We want victims of rape and sexual assault to come to see us to get the help that they need.”

Dr Karen Kirkham, lead GP for Dorset Care Commissioning Group, said: “I am delighted that ARC Dorset is now open; this gives the NHS an opportunity to support individuals at a very difficult time, to encourage them to access sexual and other health services to meet their specific identified needs.

“It will also help us to meet one of our key strategic aims, to reduce health inequalities.”

Anyone – man, woman or child – who has been raped or sexually assaulted either recently or in the past, can contact ARC Dorset directly – as a self-referral – or come as a referral from the police or any other agency.

Self-referrals simply dial 0845 519 8638 to make an appointment or email contact@arc dorset.org.uk

WEST DORSET: New victim support centre opens

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