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Media invite - four year anniversary for Treetops Centre

Press Releases

Published: 22/11/2010


Today (November 22) is the fourth anniversary of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), otherwise known as Treetops, and members of the media are invited to an open day at the centre to mark the occasion.

Since the launch of the SARC in 2006, 1692 people have visited the centre and received expert care and support following their involvement in incidents of rape or serious sexual assault; what can only be described as one of the most traumatic experiences a person can suffer.

Treetops is made possible by a partnership between the Solent Healthcare, Hampshire Constabulary, and Portsmouth City Council, with support from the Rape Crisis services across Hampshire.

The centre is located in Cosham, Portsmouth, near to the Queen Alexandra hospital, but its remit spans across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Clients of the SARC arrive in a number of ways. More often, people who have been raped or sexually assaulted are taken to the centre after having reported the incident to the police, but they may also be referred by support services such as Rape Crisis or Inscape, or make a self referral by contacting the centre themselves.

The centre offers a supportive environment where specially trained doctors and project workers can see a client through forensic examination, getting counselling and ongoing support, screening for possible sexually transmitted infections, or reporting the incident to the police.

Mary Bridgman, the manager for the SARC, has worked there since the launch four years ago and has been instrumental in the centre’s achievements to date. She said, “Before we opened Treetops, victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in Hampshire and Isle of Wight didn’t have the right facilities, with the right professionals in place, to help them through their crises. Someone going through a traumatic experience needs confidential and professional help in the right environment, which we are able to provide. Because we work alongside other disciplines, we offer full support, which victims find helpful.”

Detective Chief Inspector Phil McTavish, who is the force lead for serious sexual offences, said, “The benefits of the SARC are immeasurable. It provides a safe place for victims where they can talk about what they have been through and consider what is best for them to do next. The teams there assist our investigations by providing the necessary forensic evidence, and victims also receive immediate counselling, medical intervention and sexual health advice. We have a strong and close working relationship with the SARC and forensic medical examiner teams and will continue to do so for the future, to provide the best possible service to victims of rape and serious sexual assault.”

Members of the media are invited to the SARC between 10am and 11am on Friday, November 26. Attendees will receive a tour of the facility, to give them insight into the journey of a visitor to the centre. We are currently also arranging for the case study of a young victim, who has bravely written her own story, to be made available. Mary Bridgman and a police representative will both be available for interview.

 

 


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