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Counselling returns after 10 years for Leeds rape victims
A phone helpline is being launched in Leeds to offer support to victims of rape and sexual abuse.
The initiative is being spearheaded by SARSVL – Support After Rape & Sexual Violence Leeds – in a bid to restore a counselling service lost 10 years ago when previous provider Rape Crisis was forced to close due to lack of funding.
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SARSVL, which supports women and girls who have been affected by sexual violence at any time in their lives, estimates over 1,000 women a year from the Leeds area are likely to seek help and information.
And they hope to extend the new facility to include face-to-face counselling and drop-in sessions later in the year.
Spokeswoman Katie Russell said: "No one asks for or deserves sexual violence and we want all women and girls to be free from the fear, and experience, of it."
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The phoneline will be officially launched on Wednesday March 17 and the long-term aim is for the organisation to be able to offer a wide range of support to those in need from its own purpose-built centre.
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In the meantime the group wants to hear from any other organisations or agencies who would like to get involved. A questionnaire is also available to anyone interested in finding out more about SARSVL's work.
Katie Russell added: "We will be working hard to raise awareness and understanding, and challenge and change public attitudes towards the inevitability of sexual violence, in partnership with any organisations across Leeds who share our values.
"Our confidential helpline will be run by trained volunteers and we currently rely entirely on donations and the goodwill of volunteers to get our service up and running and keep it going."
It is hoped the new service will be in operation three evenings a week for several hours at a time. The number to ring from March 17 will be 0113 202 1844.
* Further information about SARSVL can also be found at: www.SupportAfterRapeLeeds.org.uk
* To volunteer for SARSVL or make a donation email: info.sarsvl@googlemail.com
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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