Integrated Support Team – L-R: Anna and Jen
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) a charity that supports people affected by any form of sexual violence, including rape, and sexual assault has received a community grant of £20,000 from the social enterprise healthcare Provide Community.
A sexual assault charity in Colchester has received a community grant to support the development of a new pilot project that addresses the current gaps in services for victims of sexual assault.
The community grant, gifted to the charity by Essex-based healthcare social enterprise Provide Community, which works closely with Essex Sexual Health Care Services has recently trebled its charitable giving through monetary initiatives.
Formed in 1989, the charity was originally a rape crisis helpline for women in the Colchester area and was run by a group of committed volunteers. Today, CARA has a team of 30 full and part-time staff and 21 sessional counsellors providing a wide range of clients to all genders and ages.
When asked about the grant, CEO Helen Parr commented on the grant; “We are very grateful for the funding from Provide Community. This funding has helped CARA to set up a new project – the Integrated Support project. The project will deliver a range of additional support services particularly aimed at victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse who have a level of immediate need, including those with complex mental health problems.
“These new services include an emotional support service tailored to the individual client’s needs and a programme of regular support groups. This is an important new initiative for CARA and one that we hope will significantly improve the lives of many victims and survivors.”
Alongside the new Integrated Support project, CARA continues to provide an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service which supports victims who report to the police through each stage of the criminal justice process, specialised counselling and therapeutic support for adults and young people.
