SARC coming as a priority

Wednesday 18 January 2023

The development of a new Sexual Assault Referral Centre is a priority for Guernsey's Home Affairs committee this year with a manager appointed and a premises identified.

Funding the SARC was agreed by the States last year, a year after campaigners had first called for one to be set up.

At the Reclaim These Streets protest in June 2021 - organised by the Guernsey Women's Collective - victims of past assaults made an impassioned call for a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, citing victims were “too frightened” to go to the police because of low conviction rates.

At that time, the President of Home Affairs assured the public this was one of his committee's top priorities.

He was being pushed for action by colleagues including Deputies Yvonne Burford and Sasha Kazantseva-Miller.

Pictured: Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee for Home Affairs.

The Home Affairs' Domestic Abuse Strategy made multiple recommendations to the States, identifying a number of actions for investment - including the establishment of a SARC.

Now, Deputy Rob Prow has confirmed that the pilot scheme, with a dedicated facility remains a priority and there should be progress over the coming months.

“Establishing a pilot Sexual Assault Referral Centre remains a priority for the Committee for Home Affairs," he said.

"Work continues in partnership with the third sector and other key stakeholders. A manager for the SARC has now been appointed, and while details of this appointment are still being finalised, the person filling the role will bring experience and enthusiasm to the project, and will be able to create new momentum to drive its establishment forwards. 

“Officers have also now reviewed, and found, a suitable location for the SARC, however there is still a significant amount of work to be done before the centre can open.”  

The work of Jersey's SARC was recently highlighted during a trial at the island's Royal Court which led to the conviction of a man on three counts of rape.

28-year-old David Sullivan was found guilty after his victim gave evidence, saying that on one occasion he had put a pillow over her face, leaving her feeling "trapped". She also alleged that he had "carved" her using a piercing needle. 

Examinations revealed multiple injuries which were consistent with being raped.

Pictured: A trial in Jersey last week saw a man convicted of three rapes.

Jersey Police said she had shown "an immense amount of courage" and confirmed that she was being supported by specially trained officers.

She had been using the SARC in Jersey, as well as other services available to her. 

The Girls Night In campaign group said the success of the Jersey SARC was welcome news at the heart of a sad scenario, ahead of Guernsey's opening.

“As always, our thoughts are with the victim in this case. There are many roadblocks to making a report of any incident of sexual harassment, assault or violence and the strength and courage demonstrated by the victim in this case must not be underestimated. We hope the successful conviction of the perpetrator will encourage other victims to consider making reports.

"We are encouraged to see the success of the self-referral process through the SARC in Jersey and eagerly await the opening of Guernsey’s SARC, which will be an incredible asset to the island.

"Since our inception in November 2021, we have actively encouraged our followers to report any incidents of harassment, assault, violence or suspected spiking and believe the SARC - once opened - will play an extremely important role in giving victims the confidence to seek help and support.

"It is no secret that conviction rates for these crimes are low, but we hope the conviction in Jersey is a sign that things can and will change and we look forward to the role the SARC in Guernsey will play in supporting victims.”