New sexual abuse help centre opens

Ms Lavender works for Safeline, which last week moved to bigger premises in New Street, Warwick, which were opened by the mayor, Cllr Bob Dhillon.

She told the mayor along with Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White that of the 362 people who contacted the helpline last year, 283 were girls and women and 79 were males aged 11 upwards.

She said while easy access to porn on the internet was allowing perpetrators to meet up with each other, it was still rape within a family that was the most common.

Cllr Dhillon said: “I wanted to add my support to Safeline who are doing sterling work for Warwickshire survivors of sexual abuse and rape - a subject that even today has stigma and taboos attached.

“I know only too well about the need to provide equality of support to all, including this client group.”

But Warwickshire police have reduced funding in the past year to the tune of some £10,000.

Chris White, who wished staff well in the new 
premises, was shocked to learn of the huge increase in survivors coming forward and the fact that the police had withdrawn some of its funding.

He said: “Thankfully Safeline’s uniquely placed specialist provision continues, enabling survivors to access the professional help they need on their doorstep.”

The charity offers a portfolio of services and active prevention work to young people on keeping safe.

Of the 362 people who did contact Safeline between April last year and March this year some 193 came from Warwick, Leamington and 
Kenilworth.