Article can also be seen at : http://www.portsmouthnews.tv/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5117:treetops-the-sexual-assault-referral-centre-marks-five-years&catid=34:front-page-news

Written by News Desk
Wednesday, 23 November 2011 06:47
The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), otherwise known as Treetops, marks its fifth anniversary with a commitment to offering a professional service to clients when they most need it.

The centre is located in Cosham, Portsmouth, but its remit spans across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Since the launch of the SARC in 2006, 2168 people have visited the centre and received expert care and support following their involvement in what can only be described as one of the most traumatic experiences a person can suffer.

More often, people who have been raped or sexually assaulted are taken to the centre after having reported the incident to the police, but they may also be referred by support services such as Rape Crisis or Inscape, or make a self referral by contacting the centre themselves.

The centre offers a supportive environment where specially trained doctors and project workers can see a client through forensic examination, getting counselling and ongoing support, screening for possible sexually transmitted infections, or reporting the incident to the police.

SARC manager, Mary Bridgman, said, “Before we opened Treetops, victims of sexual assault and domestic violence didn’t have the right facilities, with the right professionals in place, to help them through their crises. Because we work alongside other disciplines, we are able to offer full support.”

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Snuggs from Hampshire Constabulary said: “We would like to congratulate Treetops on reaching its fifth anniversary. We are committed to supporting the SARC and it’s highly important work with victims of serious sexual offences. The force has benefitted from a very productive partnership which has helped us to improve the service we can provide to victims at their time of need.”

Some of the centre’s milestones over the last five years include:

-       Recruitment of a Young Persons Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) for Hampshire and Isle of Wight in 2007 after successful bids to the Home Office

-       Production of the ‘Rape, Short Word Long Sentence’ DVD, which has been distributed – and is in use – nationally and abroad

-       Collaborating with Hampshire Constabulary and Don’t Cross the Line and other awareness campaigns to highlight keeping safe and issues of consent. Presentations from these campaigns go to all schools, colleges and universities in Hampshire and Isle of Wight

-       Development and deployment of an android smart phone ‘app’

-       Being part of a national Department of Health taskforce looking at helping other areas of country develop and improve SARCs

-       Being part of a steering group with the Home Office looking at National Occupational Standards for Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs)

-       Assisting the voluntary sector in obtaining funding for ISVAs to work with adults across Hampshire and Isle of Wight

-       Offering social work student placements.
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