Camilla hails efforts of health staff in supporting sexual assault victims
Camilla hails efforts of health staff in supporting sexual assault victims
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The Queen has praised the “brilliant” efforts of health workers and other staff supporting sexual assault victims at a specialist centre she officially opened. Camilla launched the purpose-built Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Exeter after touring the building, and following a private meeting with a survivor described the “difference” the service had made to her life. She told the staff assembled for a plaque unveiling marking her visit: “You do a brilliant job I think, you shouldn’t go unrecognised.
“All of you working together do make such a difference to so many women, children and men over the country. “I don’t know what they would do without these SARCS, they would still be there. They would have no-one to help them and they wouldn’t be in the place some of them are now. “Talking to one of the survivors, the difference it made her life – I don’t think you realise just quite how needed you are.”.
During her visit, the Queen was shown forensic medical examination suites and clinical rooms, and chatted to staff who provide critical forensic and therapeutic care to those using the service. Paediatrician Dr Anna Law showed her the room filled with toys where children using the service were met with family members, and Camilla said: “Well, it’s unfortunate it’s needed so much – so many children, through.”.
The Queen has a long-term interest in supporting victims of sexual assault and a number of years ago she championed the idea of washbags for those attacked, an idea that has recently been revived. The relaunch of the Wash Bags Project has seen In Kind Direct, a charity founded in 1996 by the King when he was Prince of Wales, come on board as the distribution partner for this initiative, alongside Boots, which continues to provide the wash bags and contents.
