A NEW mobile therapy unit visited North Wales Police Headquarters to shine a light on efforts to combat violence against women.
The unit has been funded by Welsh Government as part of a capital grant and is being run by RASASC North Wales (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre).
The mobile vehicle unit includes a private sitting and consultation area, with facilities to meet and have a coffee and chat with service users and where they can receive information, advice and counselling support.
Its aim is to support those directly affected by sexual violence and their families and the service will cover all the counties across North Wales in the medium of Welsh and English.
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The service will include a mix of rural and urban settings, with the aim of visiting venues such as supermarket carparks and hospital carparks to do conduct regular drop ins.
Additionally, the vehicle will also be used to raise awareness, providing a visible presence and target-hardening products during freshers' weeks and attending schools, colleges, and universities throughout the year.
It was welcomed at the force headquarters in Colwyn Bay by a group of North Wales Police officers and staff, as well as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Wayne Jones, who were keen to show their support for the project and the wider campaign to reduce violence against women and girls.
The need for the new unit has been demonstrated by the large increase in referrals regarding violence against women and girls in North Wales seen by professionals in recent years, growing from 178 in 2011-12 to 801 in 2021-22.
Gaynor McKeown, Interim CEO, RASASC North Wales, said: "RASASC NW are working closely with North Wales Police and the Welsh Government to combat and address the issues of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and improve access to advice and support.
"We have launched the new mobile therapy unit to ensure that we can reach as many communities across North Wales as possible, working with these communities to raise awareness and tackle sexual violence."
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Wayne Jones, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, said: “RASASC NW have created a vital service that will enable communities and vulnerable individuals right across North Wales to access the support and advice that is crucial if we are to overcome the growing scourge of violence against women and girls.”
Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales said: “My Police and Crime Plan for North Wales has tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence at its heart and this initiative will help achieve those aims. We are pleased to support both RASASC, North Wales Police and all other partners in their efforts to make our homes and streets across North Wales safer for women and girls.”
Chief Superintendent Jason Devonport, VAWG Lead for North Wales Police, said: “This is an excellent asset and opportunity to engage with all of our communities, especially some of our more rural areas, in which we know domestic abuse and sexual violence occurs and is less frequently reported."
Jane Hutt, Minster for Social Justice in the Welsh Government, said: “Our commitment is clear, violence against women and girls must be stopped. Harassment, abuse and violence are daily occurrences for women and have conditioned their lives for far too long."
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