A unique facility that sets a new standard in the provision for victims of sexual assault was launched yesterday (Monday, 14th of February) in North Wales.
The North Wales Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is a joint venture between North Wales Police, and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and voluntary organisations.
The SARC will help North Wales Police with their continuing efforts to build the trust and confidence of the people of north Wales in the way that sexual assault cases are handled and the increasing number of people who are willing to come forward to report historic cases indicates that this is already having some success.
Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard said: “North Wales Police prioritises cases of sexual assault and we currently have an arrest rate of 96%. We also have the seventh highest rate of bringing offenders to justice of all police forces in the UK.
“We have invested heavily in our services for victims of sexual assaults, not only with the construction of the centre but also in employing seven full time specially trained officers to provide support to those who have suffered such incidents.
He added: “We have been working towards this venture for a few years and we are extremely grateful for the support offered by our partners.”
Mary Burrows, Chief Executive of the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board said: “I praise the foresight of the Police and the Police Authority for investing the money, people and time in developing the SARC. I would also like to congratulate representatives of the Police, Health Service and voluntary organisations on their joint working that has brought the centre to fruition.”
The centre – which has the full backing of the North Wales Police Authority, the Crown Prosecution Service the NSPCC, the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre North Wales (RASA) provides state of the art facilities for medical and forensic examinations and video interviewing.
Since the centre opened 18 months ago, 385 people have already used the centre which is housed at an undisclosed location in the Conwy county area.
