More than 500 victims of sexual assault have received help from a Maidstone centre since it opened two years ago.

Beech House Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), off Hermitage Lane, is jointly commissioned by NHS England and Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes and opened to offer a "personalised approach" to victims of sexual assault who don’t want to go straight to the police.

Staff, including nurses, talk to the clients and can take forensic samples if the victim wishes, before referring them to other organisations for counselling, healthcare and other support.

Although the majority of clients are women, most aged between 20 and 40, men and children from all over Kent are also supported at the centre, which is run by Mountain Healthcare.

Victims, who may previously have been forced to travel outside Kent for similar help, can either arrive independently, after phoning to make an appointment, or be referred by various professionals.

Fay Maxted, chief executive of The Survivors Trust, an organisation that works with Beech House, said: “Sexual assault can affect every aspect of someone’s life and victims and survivors deal with their situation in many different ways.

“During such a sensitive and traumatic time, Beech House offers a safe and caring environment where victims and survivors can make their own decisions about what works best for them in their own time.”

Beech House has two examinations rooms, a waiting room with sofas, an interview room and a kitchen where victims and their friends and children can prepare snacks and drinks.

A 24/7 helpline, staffed by nurses, can also offer advice.

Mrs Barnes said: “A few years ago, Kent was in the unfortunate situation where we only had a small-scale and basic sexual assault referral centre at the very north of the county in Darent Valley.

"Victims of sexual assault often had to be taken out of the county to receive the care and support they needed. It was not open 24/7 and could not handle self referrals. In my view, that situation was nothing short of a scandal and was totally unacceptable.

"This centre is in a more central part of the county, accessible by appointment 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and able to help all victims, whether professionally referred or self referring.

"For the past two years Kent has finally had a first class sexual assault referral centre, offering the widest and most complete set of services the county has ever had, and I am very proud of what has been achieved."

For more visit the website or call 01622 726461 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays or 0800 133 7432 out of hours.