More Help For Sex Abuse Victims In Southend

19 October 2011, 10:13 | Updated: 20 October 2011, 11:14

A new dedicated helpline is now running in Southend to support victims of sexual abuse.

It's the first time the town's had one since the 1990s with the nearest centre up until now in Thurrock.

SOS Rape Crisis has been set up to help support and offer free counselling to women and girls over the age of 14 who have been the victim of sexual assault or violence.

They now have a telephone helpline running on Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings.

Kate Harriss from SOS Rape Crisis told Heart: "We're expecting to receive around 300 calls in the first year of operation.

We're now looking for more volunteers so we can extend the service further on more days in the week.

The helpline number for anyone needing support is 01702 303232"