FROM the moment a victim reports a rape to Cheshire police they can expect to be treated with compassion and sensitivity.

Specially trained officers, who are experienced at investigating this serious type of crime, understand how difficult it can be sometimes for rape victims to come forward.

But it's important for victims to know that once they have reported a rape, every effort will be made to bring the person responsible to justice, and that multi-agency support is available to them.

And the help and support can be ongoing. It doesn't have to stop once an investigation, or court case, has ended.

Whether a victim is a man, woman, or even a child, there are locally based, as well as national agencies and organisations that provide a free and confidential service to help the victim and their family come to terms with what has happened.

When a victim reports a rape to police, a dedicated SOIT (Sexual Offence Investigation Trained) officer is assigned to their case.

They accompany the victim while they provide any forensic or medical evidence and also obtain their statement. This officer remains in contact with them throughout the investigation and often for some time after a case has finished.

When an offender is charged, the witness care unit contacts the victim to advise them of how the criminal justice process works and once a trial is fixed informs them of the date.

Unless a defendant pleads guilty, victims are usually required to attend court to give evidence, which can be a daunting prospect.

But the witness care unit lets them know if they need to attend and stays in regular contact with them leading up to the trial to offer support.

Often victims will have worries about attending court, or practical problems, and this is where staff at the unit can help with making travel arrangements, addressing work commitments or family issues, such as arranging childcare.

They also keep the victim up to date with significant developments in their case at court.

The witness service is on hand to provide support to victims during the court process.

This might involve organising a pre-court visit so that the victim can familiarise themselves with the surroundings, or being present while a victim gives their evidence. And the officer investigating a rape victim's case can also refer them to victim support, which offers a friendly ear, or arrange counselling on their behalf.

But they also offer practical help such as providing personal attack alarms, or arrange for their home security to be improved.

Susan Connolly is the senior manager of victim support covering Halton and Warrington. She said: "Every victim is different and their needs vary. Not everyone is ready, or wants to speak to a counsellor and so we can provide whatever support they want to talk about what's happened.

"But we also have rape trained volunteers for male and female victims and our support is available during and after an investigation, even if there is a successful conviction at court.

"Sometimes victims can have mixed feelings following a trial and so we can provide ongoing support."

A victim as well as their family can be referred to various organisations for on-going support such as The Samaritans and the NSPCC, which offers a support service to child victims or witnesses.

There is also The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre for Cheshire and Merseyside, which is based in Warrington and St Helens.

Julie Evans is the manager of the centre. As a trained counsellor with 10 years experience of helping rape victims, Julie and her team of five counsellors and 50 volunteers (25 of whom are also trained counsellors) offer a free and confidential service. We provide emotional and practical support," she said. "It's a chance for people to talk to someone and to process what has happened to them. People are often seeking reassurance as many victims blame themselves and they shouldn't. They think 'Why did this happen to me?'

"Male rape victims don't tend to make use of our service but we do have male counsellors and volunteers who can help them, although we often find they feel more comfortable talking to a female counsellor.

"Our focus is very much on the victim and we are usually able to offer people an appointment within 48 hours.

"And we can provide support for their families too. It's quite common for the whole of family life to have been affected, such as a relationship breakdown."