Today, Tuesday 3 July 2012, ARC Dorset, the county’s sexual
assault referral centre, opens its doors 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, including crisis support, counselling
referral, health and welfare, information, police and forensics (if
they decide to report).
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@arcdorset.org.uk
Those that self-refer do not have to report
the assault to the police. At ARC 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, as
the name suggests, 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 service 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.”