Campaign launches to support sexual abuse victims in North Wales

Colleagues from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, including Deputy Commissioner Wayne Jones, attended the launch event for a major campaign to help victims and survivors of sexual abuse in North Wales that went live on 26 September 2022.

The campaign by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre North Wales (RASASC NW), which is one of the OPCC’s commissioned services, urges more victims/survivors to get in touch with them for help, support and to get their lives back on track.

As part of the campaign, a 15-minute film will tell the story of some of the survivors/victims of sexual abuse in North Wales and advertisements on television, radio, social media and on buses will encourage victims/survivors to contact RASASC NW on 01248 670628 between 8.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.

Sexual violence rates in North Wales continue to be amongst the worst in the UK and RASASC NW is now recruiting another three members of staff to deal with a rise in calls for help, and are awaiting confirmation of funding for another four new members of staff.

New referrals have gone up from 178 in 2011-12 to more than 800 last year.

And the number of children and young people referred to the organisation almost doubled last year, up from 103 in 2020 to 191 in 2021.

Gaynor McKeown, Interim Chief Executive of RASASC NW, said: “What we do works. Nine out of every ten people coming to us for help say they have regained control of their life and their mental health has improved.

“But we know that there are many more victims/survivors of sexual violence who haven’t got in touch with us yet. This campaign is intended to help them. 

“The need for our services has never been greater and we want all victims/survivors of sexual abuse to get in touch with us because we can help them deal with what happened.

“We understand how hard it is to take the first step and tell someone, but if you are a victim or survivor, whatever form your abuse took or whenever it happened, we provide a confidential and safe environment so you can get the support you need.”

For emergencies outside these hours call 0808 8010800.

Victims/survivors can also get more information online at www.rasawales.org.uk or email info@rasawales.org.uk.