Acer House Victims’ Centre will provide dedicated, modern facilities to better meet the needs of victims of rape and sexual assault helping to improve their outcomes, both inside and outside the criminal justice system and in their recovery and healing.

Acer House is the new site for the Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre (“SARC”) and Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services in York and North Yorkshire. Victims of rape and sexual assault will receive immediate healthcare and a forensic medical examination if required at the Centre, to collect and document evidence.

The new Centre also has two Video-Recorded Interview suites for North Yorkshire Police to take statements from vulnerable victims and witnesses of any crime, including children and young people.

The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, and Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Jo Coles, have supported the overall investment of £3 million, to purchase the building and develop the facilities, increasing capacity fourfold, in replacement of the previous SARC and Interview Suite. The investment is also to support the SARC to achieve new national forensic accreditation. This accreditation is required to ensure the quality of forensic evidence secures the best possible chance of prosecution of sexual offences.

Importantly, the Centre has been designed in consultation with victims, and intermediaries, to help improve their overall experience. Victims expressed their need for comfort and safety, which the Centre has provided through soft furnishes, toys for children and comfortable, private waiting rooms. With minimal signage to indicate police presence, the Centre is designed to feel distinct from a hospital or police setting. Suspects will never be interviewed within the building.

Acer House is situated close to key transport links and major roads to serve people living throughout York and North Yorkshire. The Centre will be used to support victims 24/7 and has been designed to be accessible for those with mobility needs.

Visiting the Centre,

David Skaith, York and North Yorkshire Mayor said:

“It was a privilege to come and visit the finished Victims Centre before it officially opens. The care and attention that has gone into providing a safe space for victims is plain to see.

“Creating healthy and resilient communities is at the heart of my mayoral vision. This new provision for victims, offering vital improved resources and support for individuals can serve across the whole of our region.

“A key role for me as Mayor is to champion the interests of victims and tackling violence against women and girls and to help meet the national Government pledge to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade.

Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime said:

“Last year we know there were over 300 referrals to our Sexual Assault Referral Centre, hundreds more reports to the police of rape and sexual assault, and tragically, almost certainly many more cases that were never reported.

“The Mayor and I are determined to tackle the appalling levels of violence against women and girls in our region. As part of that work, it is vital women and girls feel safe to report incidences of rape and sexual assault.

“Providing victims with the best possible facility in which to support them and secure evidence is one way in which we are showing our commitment.

“The new Acer House facility meets new accreditation standards, vital to building public confidence and encouraging victims to report serious crimes such as rape.

“As well as providing services for victims and witnesses, it also ensures the police can gather accurate evidence, improving the chances of successful prosecution against perpetrators of these devastating crimes.

“The centre has been designed to be a safe and welcoming space to ensure the experience for victims and witnesses is as supportive as possible at what will be a devastating time for them.”

Read the article in full here: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/news/acerhouseopens/