News of additional Government funding for Cleveland's ground-breaking Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Helen Britton House in North Ormesby, has been welcomed as 'further evidence that we are leading the way in protecting victims of rape and other serious sex crimes...and in bringing perpetrators to justice.'
That was how Councillor Dave McLuckie, Chair of Cleveland Police Authority, responded to today's announcement that the Home Offices is awarding £5,800 to the Cleveland centre as part of a major initiative to support victims of sexual crime -- including funding for 15 existing centre, including Helen Britton House, the establishment of eight new centres, together with funding for 43 Independent Sexual Violence Advisors to offer practical support for victims of sexual violence, and charities providing specialist services, such as counselling and advocacy.
Together with Home Office Minister David Hanson, the programme was announced by Solicitor General and Redcar MP Vera Baird QC as part of the cross-government violent crime action plan published last year.
Helen Britton House, opened in September 2007, was the first purpose-built centre in the country -- a joint venture between the Police Authority, health service and voluntary sector -- and Councillor McLuckie said it led the way in providing specialist, support and advice to rape victims.
He explained "We can take pride in the fact that we have one of the best facilities in the country -- certainly far better than the previous arrangements where victims were dealt with in police stations.
"Dealing with rape and sexual assault crimes is one of the most challenging areas of police work and recent figures from the Fawcett Society demonstrate that we do take it very seriously -- in 2007 we were top in the country for rape convictions, with nearly one in five reported rapes leading to a conviction."
Added Authority member Pam Andrews-Mawer who played a leading role in establishing the centre "I hope that today's announcement of funding not just for Helen Britton House but for improvements in services right across the country will reinforce the message that the police and other agencies are committed to both providing care and support for victims -- and ensuring that those who perpetrate these crimes are brought before the courts."
Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police Derek Bonnard said "Clearly we are pleased that the Sexual Assault Referral Centre has been awarded this additional funding from the Home Office. The SARC has made a real difference in our ability to provide victims of rape and sexual assault with a much improved support service as well as providing advice and help around the criminal justice procedures.
"We have been working very closely in recent years with partners such as the Crown Prosecution Service, Primary Care Trusts and voluntary sector support agencies to improve our response to victims of rape and we shall continue to do so to ensure that we continue to improve our service to victims of rape and bring as many offenders to justice as we can."
The SARC offers 24 hour access to specially trained rape crisis workers, emergency contraceptive, sexual health advice and onward referral to rape counsellors.
Anybody wishing to report a sexual assault should contact Cleveland Police on 01642 326326. Reports can also be made anonymously to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 01642 516888 and access to the full range of Sexual Assault Referral Centre services is assured even in cases where the victim does not wish to make a report to the police.
Victims of rape and sexual assault can also contact Women's Support Network on 01642 822331, Eva Women's Aid Rape Crisis Service on 01642 835079 and SEARCH - Sexual Abuse & Rape Counselling in Hartlepool and Stockton on 01429 891 151.