VICTIMS of rape and sexual assault should not be afraid to call for help, say workers at Cumbria’s new expert centre to cope with such crimes.

Those who have had their lives turned upside down after one of the worst traumas they will experience are urged to reach out for support.

The Bridgeway opened at Penrith late last year to provide the county with a service and set-up it previously lacked.

Richard Rhodes, Cumbria’s former crime commissioner, was instrumental in getting it off the ground.

He said the major thing is that victims have to be believed and anything the public can do to get that across to people will help.

“Victims must not feel ashamed,” he added.

“The fact that you’re a victim doesn’t mean to say you should feel ashamed you’re a victim.

“You need to be prepared to go and get the support.”

Crisis worker and co- ordinator Carrie agreed.

“People are really nervous, understandably, but as soon as we’ve talked through their options and made them aware of what is available to them, you can see a weight is lifted,” she said. “It’s really easy for people to contact us. It’s just getting to that point to be brave enough to do it.

“As the service is progressing we are finding that there’s more people asking for the support so that’s a good sign that people feel they can contact us.”

More than 300 people have already accessed The Bridgeway since it launched, about half of which were children and young people.

The service is flexible and crisis workers – who are the first point of call – are open to providing any kind of referral to meet an individual’s needs.

“The crisis worker’s role is to be an advocate for each client and to support them throughout their journey with The Bridgeway,” said Carrie.

“It can be very damaging for obvious reasons.

“We’re finding that there have been a lot of people contacting us who have been abused in their childhood and even decades later they’re still seeing the effects of that.

“Possibly having lived part of their life without any major issues and now it is coming out – maybe there’s been a trigger – and they are needing support.”

Crisis workers explain what support services are available including counsellors and independent sexual violence advisors, who provide ongoing practical and emotional support.

They can also fast-track sexual health appointments and, if victims wish, write to GPs.

The team of 16 crisis workers provide a 24/7 support service.

They tailor the services to each individual, who they will build up a rapport with during the time that person is accessing care and support.

Victims can get a much or as little support as they want. This can be face-to-face at The Bridgeway centre, based at Penrith Hospital, or closer to home and over the phone.

Crisis workers answer any questions and are on hand to put people at ease if they decide to have a forensic medical examination, something not previously offered in Cumbria but that a quarter of victims opt to have.

When working with children they build bonds through playing, colouring and watching DVDs.

Carrie explained that victims don’t have to have police involvement but will have the same service as a police case.

Forensic samples can be stored for up to two years to give victims time to consider whether they want to report it to the police.

About 80 per cent of people who have accessed the services are female but the service is open to men too.

To access The Bridgeway and its range of services, call the 24-hour helpline, which is free from a mobile phone, on 0808 118 6432.

For more information about Bridgeway or for a referral form visit www. thebridgeway.org.uk.