YOUNG people in Hampshire facing the devastating effects of sexual abuse will get the support and confidence they need to bring those responsible to justice thanks to a grant worth thousands.
Southampton Rape Crisis has been awarded a £9,320 grant from the Big Lottery Fund to pilot a new young-person friendly independent sexual violence advisory service.
The charity is determined to refocus the help and guidance it gives to young people as more and more of those seeking help are aged between 12 and 24.
The pilot will teach young people more about the court process and giving evidence in a bid to build their confidence and get more people prosecuted for crimes of rape and sexual abuse.
Sarwat Adnan, from Southampton Rape Crisis, said: “We hope that by remodelling the service so that it is targeted towards young people, will make reporting sexual abuse much less intimidating and overwhelming, resulting in more people coming forward and speaking out.”
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