Partnership Working
An action plan dedicated to tackling sexual violence has
been developed with organisations who are working in partnership to
deliver the key priorities.
The sexual violence action plan recognises the need to provide
effective support systems within the community to those people at
risk of sexual and domestic violence. This includes, children at
risk of sexual exploitation, sex workers and victims of honour
based violence.
To do this we are bringing together organisations who work with
the most at risk women to ensure that those support services are
easily accessible, available and confidential.
Additionally we are rolling out a programme of training within
the community to highlight the issues of sexual violence to
ensure that practitioners are aware of the issues and can support
women (and men) appropriately and effectively.
This includes highlighting issues around what is sexual
violence, minimising risk, where to access support and what is
honour based violence.
Bringing offenders to justice
Only 15% of adult serious sexual offences are reported to the
police and of the rape offences that are reported, fewer than 6%
result in an offender being convicted of this offence. This means
that those who commit these very serious crimes may continue to
pose a risk to the public.
Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Peterborough has responded to the seriousness of sexual violence
by opening the first Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in the
region, which will support victims from both Peterborough and
Cambridgeshire.
The SARC was a joint initiative between Peterborough PCT and
Cambridgeshire Constabulary to develop a local service to tackle
this very serious crime and impact on the individual.
The service, named The Oasis Centre @
Rivergate, was launched in January 2010 and provides a
one-stop-shop for victims of sexual violence to receive medical
care and counselling whilst at the same time have the opportunity
to assist the police investigation into alleged offences including
the facilities for a high standard of forensic
examination.
Using The Oasis Centre @
Rivergate service is completely confidential and extremely
sensitive to victims and provides a comprehensive service under one
roof. Two Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) are also in
place to work with victims of sexual violence.