by Thom Morris

Family Matters, the Gravesend rape crisis charity, has been
commissioned by NHS Kent and Medway to provide new services to rape
victims in Kent.

For the first time, victims of rape and sexual assault will be
able to obtain a full forensic examination and access to health
care, such as post assault prophylactics and morning after pills,
without reporting to the police first.

Clinical director of Family Matters, Mary Trevillion, said: “At
last we have the opportunity to provide a service that meets the
needs of the women of Kent one that is not dependent on a criminal
conviction but focuses on taking care of the victim of the
crime.”

Victims can make a confidential referral to the charity and an
appointment will be arranged for them to see a forensic examiner at
Darent Valley Hospital’s sexual assault service (SAS).

Dr Lucy Love, forensic examiner at Darent Valley said: ”This
enhanced self-referral service is a big step forwards and now means
that victims who self-refer will be given the same quality of care
as those who report to police.

“Hopefully anonymous intelligence will also be gathered and
enable more rapists to be identified and prosecuted.

"The provision of crisis workers to support victims through the
forensic examination 24/7 is one of the vital elements that was
previously missing from Kent SAS and I am delighted that finally
the funding has been made available to provide a full rota of
crisis workers.

“The increased number of independent sexual violence advisors
will mean that follow on support can be provided to children as
well as adults and this extra help will enable more adult and child
victims to feel sufficiently supported to take their cases to
court.”

Family Matters supported over 230 rape victims during 2012/13 of
which a quarter were aged 12-16.

The charity will also be providing crisis workers to support the
victims through a day and night on-call system and is looking to
recruit caring women of any age and who live within one hour of
Darent Valley to join them in enhancing the support for rape
victims in the county.

Would be applicants must have their own transport and be willing
and able to commit to 12-hour sessions of on-call availability.
Full training will be provided.

Applicants can apply at the Family Matters website.

Rape victims can refer themselves for forensic examination via
the Family Matters office on 01474 536661 during office hours. It
is hoped the service will be up and running by May.