FOR victims of any sexual assault, the process of having

evidence collected from your body and describing what happened

can be as traumatising as the attack itself.

For this reason, many women, and some men, go no further

than informing police – or their doctor, care worker or

hospital staff – of the assault.

Even those who take the brave step of being examined and

reliving the incident for the record, another swathe chose to

give up when told they will appear at trial to face their

attacker – and will probably face being called a liar

throughout by defence barristers.

In June the city's top cop, Chief Supt Jim Webster, admitted

the detection rate – the percentage of reported offences solved

– for sexual offences was just 13 percent, well below the

target of 30 per cent.

However, efforts by both police and their partner agencies,

including local charities, aim to buck that trend.

Twelve's Company, set up in the wake of the horrific sex

attacks by notorious predatory paedophile William Goad,

recently relocated to the historic Millfields and has made use

of a Home Office grant to create one of the UK's handful of

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Martine Cotter, chief executive of Twelve's Company, said

the one-stop location will provide specialist medical and

aftercare services from the moment of crisis, through the

criminal justice system and beyond.

The aim of the charity was to work alongside the police and

the Plymouth Community Safety Partnership to improve the care

provided to victims of rape and sexual assault in not just

Plymouth, but also West Devon, Caradon and South Hams.

The ground floor “Garden Suite” houses state-of-the-art

forensic facilities, open to police and non-police referrals

and – from Spring next year – self referrals.

Martine said the eventual aim will be that a victim of

sexual assault can attend the SARC, be forensically examined

and have any incriminating DNA, fibres, tissue and hair stored

for a number of months, allowing them the time to recover from

the ordeal and make a decision as to whether or not they want

to call police.

Martine said: “In the past the CPS might have said 'well,

it's been a month, there's no forensic evidence left, it's just

your word against his'.”

Another improvement in the pipeline is to replace the need

for a specialist police officer – Sexual Offence Liaison

Officers (SOLO) – at the forensic examination.

Crisis workers who have health backgrounds such nurses from

A & E, genitourinary and domestic violence workers, will be

trained to SOLO standards, allowing the police to withdraw and

instead focus entirely on the investigation, rather than

“bagging and tagging” evidence alongside the doctor carrying

out the intimate and often distressing forensic

examination.

Martine said: “We did a lot of research, looking at best

practice from others and in every area we've tried to make

improvements.”

Every detail has been thought through. In the adjacent

shower and toilet room, where victims can clean up following

the examination, there is a small bowl of cosmetics and

toiletries, a bathrobe and proper spare clothes.

Martine said: “In the past a woman would be handed a paper

outfit – perhaps old jogging clothes and one-size paper

knickers. This gives them back a little bit of dignity.”

The “waiting room” is clean, homely even, with comfortable

leather chairs, soft lights and tea-making facilities. Yet this

room, like the bathroom and examination room, will be deep

cleaned and forensically intact, complete with an

air-filtration system to preserve all forensic material.

The examination room appears formulaic – with medical

equipment, a padded table and screens – yet even here there is

thought.

Martine said: “We have no pictures on the walls, which are a

uniform white colour. We saw some centres with pictures

everywhere – even one on the ceiling. We wanted nothing that

would then trigger a memory at a later date.”

Along a corridor there is an office fro either a doctor,

crisis worker or police officer along with refrigerated storage

for DNA and forensic items. The police will also be able to

replenish their “early evidence kits” which all patrol cars

must carry.

Martine said: “It'll save officers time having to go back to

the station to replace the kit.”

Unlike police stations or hospitals, no other staff or

members of the public will be in that part of the building,

allowing victims the confidence and security they need.

Upstairs and through an entirely different entrance, are the

main offices of Twelve's Company and its counselling rooms –

each with soundproofed doors.

The grand Edwardian building is also home to Plymouth's ISVA

– Independent Sexual Violence Advisor, who is specially trained

and independent of any statutory agency.

Martine said: “The ISVA – Carol Senior – supports the

victims throughout the investigation and criminal justice

process. They give the victim confidence, hold their hand,

liaise with police, even help out with their employer if

needed.”

As a third stage, Twelve's Company helps with the

psychological effects.

Martine said: “It really is a one-stop shop in terms of

short, medium and long term help. We can offer the victim

practical help, therapeutic help and emotional help.

“The Home Office's long-term plan is to have a SARC in each

major city. The next closest one to us is Bristol.

“While we are the lead agency, we couldn't have done it

without our partners – the police, health and the Plymouth

Community Safety Partnership. With this centre Plymouth will be

ahead of the field in the South West.”

Supt Andy Bickley of Plymouth police welcomed the opening of

the SARC.

He said: “No one should underestimate the impact, trauma and

distress caused to the victims of sexual offences.

“It is a top priority for the Devon and Cornwall

Constabulary and Community Safety Partnerships.

“We need to look beyond the headline figures if we are to

achieve real improvements in our performance. We need to look

at the quality of what we do at all stages of our

investigation, from the first report through to a

conclusion.

“The SARC provides a real opportunity to improve the initial

services, facilities and environment in which we support

victims of sexual offences.

“Building trust, confidence and being sensitive to the needs

of each person is key to delivering an effective investigation

and outcome.”