One in four women have been exposed to sexual violence

“The vast majority of people who come to us have been raped by someone they know whether it is someone in their circle of friends, someone through work, the guy across the road or an ex or current partner.”

These are the words of Julie Evans, manager of the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) in Warrington.

Operating a confidentiality policy, the centre offers a variety of services including a helpline, counselling, information and support for women, men and young people aged over 14 who have been raped, assaulted, sexually abused as children, sexually harassed at work or experienced other forms of sexual violence.

It also helps those supporting victims of an attack.

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) provide advice and information and can help victims wanting to report a rape, accompanying them to the police station and to court.

Ms Evans added: “Anyone raped should seek medical help immediately and if they can report it to the police they should although it is understandable why they don’t – I think it’s a really difficult crime to prove as more often than not it is one person’s word against another and society’s views against women can still be quite negative.

“But the conviction rate is increasing, there are now more specialist rape prosecutors and last year in Cheshire the figures were quite good.

“Anyone who isn’t sure whether to report the attack should ring an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) who can run through the options with them. I recommend anyone who has been raped, even if it was years ago, to speak to an ISVA.

“Approximately half of those who come into the centre were sexually abused as a child – our oldest client was an 84–year–old who was abused when she was eight.

“Whether you have been raped by someone you know or a stranger the impact can be far reaching and how you respond to being raped is unique to everyone.

“We support and believe people 100 per cent – statistically there is no evidence that people make false allegations.”

She added: “We do see men as well but they comprise only around 10 per cent of our clients. It is still socially unacceptable for men to report sexual violence but men are starting to report it more and more.

“Figures for boys being raped are starting to rise quite significantly according to the NSPCC and that is because they are reporting it more.”

Call RASASC on 221546.