Southampton has the second highest number of recorded sexual offences in the country - that means hundreds of victims walk our streets every day. ALI KEFFORD reports on the work of the city's Rape Crisis centre...

THE RAPE of a woman in a Brighton pub last week saw a new and revolting 21st-century twist to what is one of the most serious crimes the courts have to deal with.

Police say onlookers filmed the attack as it occurred in a pub toilet, using hi-tech mobile phones.

But the vast majority of sexual attacks never make the headlines.

In fact, because of the taboo surrounding sexual assault, the victims never tell their doctors, let alone take their attacker to court.

It's a shockingly little known fact but Southampton has the second highest number of recorded sexual offences in the country, after the capital city.

This means that hundreds of victims walk the city's streets each day.

Lucky, then, that Southampton has one of the most proactive and forward-thinking crisis lines for those who have had unwanted sexual experiences, which has recently extended its service to include a new, vulnerable group - men.

It has launched another pioneering project, aimed at children, to help victims of child abuse.

The Star Project is an educational and outreach project funded by the Home Office to work with young people.

It gives youngsters a chance to talk about any unwanted sexual experience they may have had and, if necessary, receive counselling.

"It has set the standard for the country and raised the profile of these issues," says Michelle, one of the Star Project's educational and out-reach co-ordinators.

Together with colleague Steve she tours Southampton schools, raising awareness among pupils of what makes a positive relationship.

"The starting point is what makes a good relationship. We go through certain behaviour and they describe it as 'OK' or 'Not OK'," says Michelle.

"Because we have a male and female outreach worker, young men can see a man standing there which makes them realise it's not just a female issue."

The Star Project has already worked with 3,500 young people across the city and won an award for the excellence of its work.

Providing a route to the counselling service is a key component of its success.

Following the project's launch in October 2000, Southampton Rape Crisis saw a 70 per cent increase in the number of face-to-face counselling sessions with young people.

Counselling is available to any male or female, aged 12 or over, who has experienced rape or sexual abuse at any time in their lives. It's free and can be short- or long-term, as appropriate.

The counselling of male victims began about 18 months ago.

Portsmouth and Winchester also provide specific services for male victims but, nationally, it's extremely rare.

"We're seeing a lot more male survivors now. There wasn't a service before but they're starting to come out of the woodwork," said counsellor and deputy service manager Julie. "It's really hard for them to even come forward and say 'This has happened.'

"The myth of masculinity is that it can never happen but an adult man can get abused."

The services for men and women are dealt with at different locations after a survey of their female client base showed they would rather not be bumping into men when they came to discuss their ordeals.

They speak of "unwanted sexual experiences", less emotionally charged words than, say, rape or paedophilia.

"It takes the heat out of the words," said Julie.

Southampton Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service has been running for 17 years.

It employs three members of staff and relies on 25 volunteer counsellors.

Talking about an attack for the first time is extremely traumatic.

Yet talking to skilled counsellors can make a huge difference to a victim. Julie said: "Making that call makes that transition. We need rape crisis to be anonymous because, for some people, that's really important - but it does mean we can't be public."

Southampton MP John Denham praised the project, saying: "Your contribution to our long-term preventative strategy of educating young people at risk and counselling others is imperative in helping us achieve our aim of reducing violent crime."

Julie agrees: "We're very proud of it," she said. "But we're also proud of the people we meet who are so impressive and have battled against the odds."

Call the Southampton Rape Crisis helpline on 023 8063 6313. It is open Sunday and Monday (7-10pm), Tuesday (10am-1pm) and Thursday (1-4pm). Or e-mail: info@southamptonrapecrisis.org.uk.