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10
Mar
New York and North Yorkshire victims' centre opens
A new £3 million victims’ centre has opened in North Yorkshire.
The Acer House Victims’ Centre aims to provide dedicated, modern facilities to better meet the needs of victims of rape and sexual assault.
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, and deputy mayor for policing, fire and crime, Jo Coles, helped to put up investment to buy the building and fund the redevelopment of the centre.
The centre will be the the new site for the Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre (“SARC”) and Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services in York and North Yorkshire.
This means it will help victims of rape and sexual assault to receive immediate healthcare and a forensic medical examination if required, to collect and document evidence.
The new centre also has two video-recorded interview suites for North Yorkshire Police to take statements from vulnerable victims and witnesses of any crime, including children and young people.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
It was a privilege to come and visit the finished victims' centre before it officially opens. The care and attention that has gone into providing a safe space for victims is plain to see.
Creating healthy and resilient communities is at the heart of my mayoral vision. This new provision for victims, offering vital improved resources and support for individuals can serve across the whole of our region.
A key role for me as Mayor is to champion the interests of victims and tackling violence against women and girls and to help meet the national Government pledge to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade.
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime said:
Last year we know there were over 300 referrals to our Sexual Assault Referral Centre, hundreds more reports to the police of rape and sexual assault, and tragically, almost certainly many more cases that were never reported.
The Mayor and I are determined to tackle the appalling levels of violence against women and girls in our region. As part of that work, it is vital women and girls feel safe to report incidences of rape and sexual assault.
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