A SPECIALIST base to offer care and advice to victims of sex crimes is needed in York and North Yorkshire, according to a local MP.
Anne McIntosh, who represents Thirsk and Malton, described the region’s lack of a sexual assault referral centre (SARC) as “unacceptable” and has asked two of the UK’s highest-ranking politicians to back its creation.
North Yorkshire Police now offers care and support to victims of rape and sexual assault at a forensic medical facility in Bishopthorpe, York, which was recently upgraded through a £75,000 Home Office grant.
The force said any extra Government funding would allow it to enhance the service, after Miss McIntosh claimed North Yorkshire was one of the few areas of the UK which does not have an SARC, which are open round-the-clock and provide medical treatment, forensic examination and counselling.
Miss McIntosh said: “By its very nature any form of sexual assault but especially rape, is deeply personal, intrusive and violent.
“It is unacceptable that there is simply nowhere in North Yorkshire for any victim to present themselves and seek help and guidance and medical and police support in the immediate aftermath of an assault or attack.”
She said the Government had announced an additional £3 million a year for the next three years for rape support centres, and said: “I have therefore written today to the Home Secretary Theresa May and the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to invite their support for such a centre to be based in North Yorkshire.”
Detective Superintendent Lewis Raw, head of major crime at North Yorkshire Police, said the force had undertaken a lot of work to improve its standard of care to victims – including the upgrade of York’s forensic medical facility.
He said: “This upgrade means that the facility now has the capability to host SARC services, however extra funding would be required to develop such services.
“We have also established a pool of specially trained officers who act as the single point of contact for victims of rape and serious sexual assault. They provide consistency for victims, working directly with them and the investigation team.
“However, we would welcome any extra funding, including from partners, which would help us develop SARC services for victims, to further improve the care and response at what is a traumatic and difficult time for them.”
North Yorkshire Police currently arrange more than 100 forensic examinations of adults per year in relation to sexual assaults.
Victims need a centre for help
RAPE is a brutal, dehumanising crime. It strips its victims of their sense of self, and can leave them feeling powerless, vulnerable and utterly violated.
Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault is likely to have had their self-confidence and self-esteem shattered. That is why so many victims never come forward. And it is why it is so important that there should be specialist centres to help such people: places staffed by sympathetic, often female, professionals, who can provide the counselling and medical support victims need, as well as taking forensic evidence for possible future prosecution.
It is a matter for deep concern that, since York Rape Crisis closed a few years ago, York and North Yorkshire has been one of the few areas of the UK which does not have such a specialist centre.
Now Thirsk and Malton MP Anne McIntosh has written to Home Secretary Theresa May and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley calling on them to put that right.
These two senior ministers should listen to Ms McIntosh. We know finances are tight. But it is simply not good enough that the needs of rape victims in the county are not being met in the way they deserve.
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