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The new centre dealing with sexual assault concerns outside the criminal justice system will begin taking round-the-clock phone calls in one month’s time after a team of crisis workers were appointed.
The 24/7 helpline staffed by compassionate professionals will officially launch for the public on 1 October as part of wider moves to establish a Sexual Assault Referral Centre in the island.
The number will be published at the end of this month.
Anyone can seek advice and the options available to them if they experienced sexual assault or abuse, be it recently or years ago, without having to go to the police which can be daunting to some.
This could include a referral to the SARC itself, which is set to open its doors for a forensic examination service in the North Plantation at the start of 2024.
Home Affairs said on the “rare occasion” a call is not returned to discuss sexual matters it means the crisis workers are dealing with another query, but messages can be left, and calls will be returned.
The Committee has accelerated the plans since taking office in 2020, and funding for the three-year pilot of SARC, including the helpline, is politically prioritised.
Pictured: Charlie Cox was appointed as Manager of the service this year.
Home Affairs President Deputy Rob Prow said the scheme is “long overdue and has been needed for some while” and the helpline launch reflects the incremental launch of new public services.
“So that's the first step, and then the center will progress to the first of January where the forensic examination facilities will become available. But again, that involves training staff, recruiting staff.
“But this is a really meaningful step because we've got the crisis workers recruited, trained, and in place and it's great to have had the support from the third sector and other organisations… law enforcement is completely behind this and indeed from the State Assembly. All members of the States have got behind this initiative."
Committee member Deputy Sue Aldwell, who leads on sexual and domestic abuse, agreed and said the helpline forms only part of extra work to toughen up on related crimes and issues.
“We have work which we are doing with SAFER within our schools to teach children to have respect for relationships and also with Operation Encompass for children who have to deal with the domestic abuse,” she said.
“It's a whole range, a whole package of initiatives which need to be brought together so that we can keep this island safe and secure.”
Deputy Prow added: “We set out a strategy early in the term and it needs to be underpinned by actions, and setting up the SARC is definitely part of that, but also underpinning it with legislation and bringing legislation to put the tools in the box that we need."
Pictured (top): Deputy Rob Prow, Deputy Sue Aldwell, Charlie Cox, SARC Manager, and the crisis workers.
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