A support centre for victims of crime has been launched at a hospital in bid to reach out to those affected by domestic and sexual violence.
Anyone affected by crime will be able to access emotional support, advocacy and practical advice at a new centre, open to patients, staff and visitors to West Middlesex Hospital, in Twickenham Road, Isleworth.
The national charity Victim Support hopes launching the new surgery on the ‘front line’ will make it easier for people suffering domestic and sexual violence to seek help.
The clinic, which was launched earlier this month at an office in the hospital's atrium, and has funding for one year from Hounslow Council, will be open from Monday to Friday, between 5pm and 8pm.
Appointments must be booked through Victim Support’s hotline but the plan is to switch to a drop-in service when sufficient volunteers have been trained, hopefully by the end of summer.
Project coordinator Ellen Presser, of Victim Support, said: “Victims of domestic violence are often highly controlled by their partners and might be too scared to come forward and report it to police, which is where most of our referrals come from.
“It’s the same with victims of sexual violence, who may lack the confidence to go to police for fear they will be judged or not believed.
“This is a safe and easy way for these people and other victims of crime to access support right on the front line, without having to go through the police.”
Victim Support has been working closely with the hospital’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service and staff in its sexual health and maternity departments to ensure people are aware of the new service.
As well as emotional support, users will be offered practical advice, with a contribution towards personal alarms and lock-fitting services available to some clients, and advocacy to help them in their dealings with the police, courts, social services and other organisations.
The charity is still looking to recruit more volunteers to help run the service, all of whom will receive extensive training.
* To book an appointment, call Hounslow Victim Support on 020 7244 4555, quoting ‘West Middlesex Hospital Project’. You can also call this number to offer your services as a volunteer.
