VICTIMS of sexual assault in Hampshire will soon be able to receive specialist care and counselling at a new £50,000 centre.
The government has confirmed that a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) will open in the county, hopefully before next March.
The SARC will provide a one-stop location where people who have suffered rape or other sexual attacks will be able to receive medical care, help and advice from trained crisis workers.
The SARC, to be built in Portsmouth, will provide an alternative for people who do not want to face going to the police station to give evidence, and it is hoped that this will encourage more people to report assaults.
Det Chief Supt Ray Webb, from Hampshire Constabulary, said: "We want to offer victims of sexual offences a means of support away from the police station and in anonymous surroundings.
"We give the best service to victims when we sit round the table and work with rape crisis centres and other organisations, to provide long-term, ongoing support."
After a successful pilot in seven other counties, the Hampshire SARC will be launched as part of the second phase of the scheme.
Andrew Buckingham from Victim Support said: "We are very much in support of SARCs, as they give an extra level of support in the face of what is one of the most horrible things someone can suffer."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article