New £3m centre opens in York to support sex attack victims
Acer House replaces the existing York facility which is a converted two-storey house in a residential street.The new centre has national forensic accreditation, which means it provides a standard of evidence that would give the best possible chance of prosecution.The centre was designed with help from survivors of serious sexual offences.It features soft furnishings, toys for children, private waiting rooms and minimal police signage to help visitors feel more comfortable.Suspects will never be interviewed in the building, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority said.
Coles said: "Last year we know there were over 300 referrals to our Sexual Assault Referral Centre, hundreds more reports to the police of rape and sexual assault, and tragically, almost certainly many more cases that were never reported."She said she and the mayor were "determined to tackle the appalling levels of violence against women and girls in our region"."As part of that work, it is vital women and girls feel safe to report incidences of rape and sexual assault," she said.David Skaith, York and North Yorkshire Mayor, said: "The care and attention that has gone into providing a safe space for victims is plain to see."He said the centre offered "vital improved resources and support for individuals across the whole of our region".
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
20 hours ago
- BBC News
Jewellery worth £100k stolen by Barton Seagrave burglars
Jewellery worth an estimated £100,000 has been stolen in a residential Police is appealing for information after the theft from a property on Grosvenor Way in Barton Seagrave, near Kettering, between 17:30 BST on Wednesday, 13 August and 23:45 on offenders forced entry to the property through a rear door and also stole about £600 in want to speak to anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the area at the presumed time of the burglary and anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage is asked to contact police on 101. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Police warning after seal pup bitten by dogs on Mablethorpe beach
Dog walkers are being warned by police to keep their pets away from seals on beaches after a seal pup was "nipped" by two incident took place at Mablethorpe beach in Lincolnshire at about 05:30 BST last Police wildlife crime officer, Det Con Aaron Flint, said the owner was likely to be asked to make a donation to Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary for the cost of the care of the seal, which could be up to £5,000. He said the seal was not left with visible bite marks, but warned pet owners to keep their dogs on leads if they do not have good recall. Det Con Flint said: "This happens too often. Operation Seabird is a national operation that deals with this type of incident as it is a real problem."The operation wants to provide education about keeping their dogs on leads if they don't have good recall as owners are responsible for what their dogs do."In this case, the gentleman didn't have good recall, the dogs were young, but it could have been preventable as if they were on a lead, it would not have happened."Alford & Mablethorpe Police said the owner managed to get one dog on a lead after the dogs starting nipping at the the second dog, which was wearing a red muzzle, continued to nip and the owner had to stand over the seal to prevent it being injured further. Dennis Drew, one of the directors at Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary, said the seal had been receiving treatment in hospital and would eventually be released back into the said: "It is responding to medication for a mouth infection and it could be with us potentially for several months while it recovers."We couldn't see any clear bite marks from the dogs so it may have just been nipped."We're advising people to be wary when they're walking on the beach and when they do let them off, to make sure they have a good recall as dogs are just doing what they instinctively know, which is to defend themselves." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Coastguard recovers man's body from River Deben near Woodbridge
A man's body has been recovered from a river by the Police said the man was pulled out of the River Deben at Waldringfield, near Woodbridge, at 08:45 BST on force said he was about 35 and had fair hair and a beard. He was wearing black shorts. The cause of death is unknown but is not believed to be suspicious. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
