New £3m centre opens in York to support sex attack victims
A new centre to support sexual assault victims has opened in York.The £3m Acer House Victims' Centre on the outskirts of the city will offer victims immediate healthcare and a forensic medical examination if required, to help collect evidence.It has two interview suites where North Yorkshire Police officers will be able to record statements from vulnerable victims and witnesses.Jo Coles, Deputy York and North Yorkshire Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, said the centre would support victims and help police gather evidence, "improving the chances of successful prosecution".
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
3 days ago
- BBC News
Man dies after being hit by van in Scarborough
A man has died after being hit by a van outside a church in North incident took place outside the Jehovah's Witness Church at the junction of Westbourne Park with Seamer Road, in Scarborough, at around 09:25 BST on man, aged in his 80s, was taken to hospital, but has since Yorkshire Police said the driver of the silver Volkswagen Transporter van will be interviewed, but anyone with any information or dashcam footage is asked to get in touch. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Man seriously hurt in York stabbing, say police
A man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a stabbing in Yorkshire Police said officers were called to Baker Street in Clifton at 19:30 BST on victim was taken to hospital and the area was cordoned off by officers.A force spokesperson said urgent inquiries were under way and asked members of the public to avoid the with information, doorbell or dashcam footage is asked to contact police. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Surrey men fined after Lincolnshire hare coursing incident
Two men have been fined after they were found guilty of hare coursing in Connors, 24, and Jerry Connors, 19, both of Rectory Lane, Woodmansterne, Banstead, Surrey, were arrested and charged after an incident in Crowland in March pair, and two others, were found guilty of hunting a wild mammal with dogs and trespass during a trial in December for their arrests were later issued and they were sentenced at Lincoln Magistrates' Court on 29 May. Lincolnshire Police said officers had been called out on Sunday 12 March 2023 to reports of four men hare reported seeing the men walking across fields with one driving a blue Daihatsu Terios 4x4 through newly planted a short chase, the four members of the group were pair were both individually fined £875 and ordered to pay £4929.83 compensation and a £350 victim surcharge. What is hare coursing? Coursers will walk along a field to frighten the hare into the openThe dog catches the hare and kills it by "ragging" it - shaking the animal in its teethThe dogs - usually greyhounds, lurchers or salukis - are on a slip lead, threaded so it can be easily releasedThe dead hare is usually left in the field or thrown in a ditchHare coursing is illegal throughout the UK. The Hunting Act 2004, makes it an offence to hunt wild mammals with dogsSource: Lincolnshire Police 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.
