A CENTRE supporting victims of rape or sexual abuse has been awarded more than £200,000 to allow it to continue its work.

The West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, which has a base in Hereford, was given a grant of £209,004 as part of the newly launched West Mercia Commissioner’s Grant Scheme.

Currently, five independent sexual violence advisors work across Worcestershire and Herefordshire to support women aged 16 and over, providing emotional and practical support.

The grant will fund the existing advisors for the next year as well as funding additional workers to extend the service to help men and children aged 11 and over.

Jo Anderson, the centre’s chief officer, said the money ‘will go a long way’ to help them provide the support needed in the county.

“We have previously been a women-only service so this is a new area of work for us. We are keen to ensure that the new services for men and children will be as effective and ethical as possible and are negotiating with Worcester University to complete an evaluation of the service over the 12 months.

"We hope that this will provide a strong evidence base to put to local statutory agencies to extend the services beyond 12 months and also demonstrate the need to extend the counselling services as well.”

Bill Longmore, West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has set aside £2 million this year for the grant scheme.

He said: “One of my key objectives is to deliver a supportive and effective response to victims and witnesses, therefore I am delighted to support this essential victim service.”

For more details on the grant scheme, visit www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk and anyone wanting to find out more about the available posts with the centre can call 01905 611655.

•Victims of rape or sexual abuse can call the centre’s Herefordshire Help Line on 0870 2422230. More information is available at hrsasc.org.uk.