The Glade: the Worcester centre offering help and support to victims - The Worcester Observer

The Glade: the Worcester centre offering help and support to victims

Worcester Editorial 2nd Mar, 2016 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

NOW it’s fourth year, The Glade Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) has provided much needed support and advice to victims of rape and sexual assault across the West Mercia area. Observer reporter Lorna Morris visited the centre to find out more about its work.

HIDDEN away in the rural surroundings of Bransford, The Glade offers immediate help to people of all ages, genders and nationalities.

Whether it is telephone support, counselling, a forensic medical examination performed by a doctor or nurse, or a GP and sexual health referral, everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Since opening in November 2012, The Glade has offered a safe haven for all, providing a place where they can be heard and more importantly, believed.




SARC manager Hannah Taylor tells me she hopes to continue raising awareness of the services on offer as well dispel the stereotypes surrounding rape and sexual assault.

“We never turn people away. Ultimately our priority is to make people feel comfortable and supported.


“The centre is in a very calming location with lots of wildlife outside and it is not in the city centre so client’s confidentiality and identity is not compromised.

People think it will never happen to them or a loved one but no-one is exempt.

“The typical stereotype of rape is someone who is walking home after a night out, who has had a few drinks and has been attacked by someone lurking in a bush.

“However, a sexual assault is more likely to happen in your own home with someone you know, someone who is within the ‘circle of trust’ almost.

“People can really struggle with reporting someone they love and trust and can find it hard going through the criminal justice system.

“We want the clients to know that is isn’t their fault and The Glade is a place where they will be believed and receive support”.

As well as offering a 24-hour crisis worker support, services at The Glade are free and can be accessed either through the police after an assault has been reported or through self referral, for the clients who don’t know whether they want to report the assault or not.

“It is about making the service accessible for everyone because a sexual assault can happen to women, men, people of any age, nationality as well as people who are LGBT or have a disability. The common theme is vulnerability,” said Mrs Taylor.

“We find that a lot of people just don’t know we are here. We want people to know where they can go if they have been raped or assaulted.

“We do everything that is going to help with the emotional health and well-being of our clients in order for them to move forward.

“We look at the client’s health, whether they need any form of medication or referrals to the sexual health clinic or the independent sexual violence advisors.

“It is all about what is right for them and afterwards, the SARC Co-ordinator will follow up and check up on how they are doing on the next working day”.

A number of comfortable ‘aftercare’ rooms are available which are individually suited to different ages and provide a quiet retreat for clients to relax after the medical. They also provide a haven for those who come back for counselling.

If a medical examination is needed, a crisis worker will sit with the client and talk them through the process.

For clients self referring to The Glade, samples and clothing are kept as evidence for up to seven years after the assault.

Medical examinations are carried out by a specially trained forensic examiner, either a doctor or nurse.

“There is a forensic time scale following a sexual assault of a maximum of seven days to gather forensic evidence. This means that depending on the type of assault, there is a limit to when they can have a medical examination

“But we go through everything with them at their own pace and if they want to stop the examination at any point they can or leave or have a break.

“It is all up to the client, there are facilities to them make them comfortable, for example a change of clothes, blankets and a shower,” said Mrs Taylor.

“There is also visual evidence for self referral victims with a physical injury and not an intimate one. Clients have the option to have their injuries photographed without having to go to the police.”

Prioritising the clients’ comfort above all else, Mrs Taylor expresses the importance of having someone who will sit and listen.

“It is such a rewarding place to work. I am inspired by clients who have accessed our service and have been through so much. For those clients who return for counselling, it is wonderful to see a positive change in them week after week. It is lovely to see.

“Sometimes people can’t verbalise what has happened to them so we can provide support and discuss different options. Even when things are explained, there is so much in their head it is hard to retain that information.

“Just having someone to talk to is invaluable,” she added.

Visit www.theglade.org.uk or call the 24 hour self-referral number on 0808 178 2058.

 

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