Help for rape victims

For the first time ever, rape victims in Wokingham can get help in their own town.

A new counselling service has opened, offering therapy from specially trained female counsellors. It is all run from the ARC centre on Reading Road, where Paul Cassidy is in charge, "this service is open for all victims of rape or sexual assault, male or female, of any age. It does not matter if they were assaulted recently or years ago, we still want to help them."

Paul told Heart the service is being offered after noticing there was a real need for it, "Quite often we work with clients who will eventually disclose they have been raped in the past. They have been carrying this secret around for many years and it has affected all relationships they have had and in many cases, led to depression and even self-harming. This is how we knew there was a need for a specialised service, run by specially trained staff."

Click here to listen to the full interview with Paul.

The details:

Client line: 0118 977 6710

Email: coordinator@arcweb.org.uk

Click here to find out more

To make an appointment at ARC, you can telephone between 10am and 4pm.

Other useful contact numbers:

Thames Valley Police:

Non-emergencies:

0845 8 505 050

 

Berkshire Womens' Aid:

0118 950 4003

 

Childline Freephone:

0800 1111

 

Samaritans:

0018 926 6333

 

Victim Support:

01344 411 411