Harpreet Sihota, the Asian Development Worker at The Haven Whitechapel unveiled a new Havens information campaign at City Hall on Friday 1st June. This was a part of the conference on Rape, the Media and the Criminal Justice System, organised by the Mayor of London and Eaves Women's Aid.

There are approximately 47,000 rapes a year in the UK of which only 1 in 5 will be report to the police. It is estimated that the cost to London of rape and sexual assault is £1.25bn.

The information campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the services offered at the Haven and to encourage more people to come forward for help after rape or sexual assault. There are a series of 4 posters that will be appearing across London at tube stations, bus stops, buses, GP surgeries, A&Es, GU clinics, libraries, community centres, police stations, bars, pubs & clubs.

The Havens are sexual assault referral centres where experienced and fully trained professionals know exactly what to do in the immediate aftermath of an attack. Their expert care, counselling and advice continue for as long as it takes in the months that follow. There are three Havens in London; The Haven Camberwell is based at King's and covers South London. The Haven Paddington at St Mary's covers the North West and the Haven Whitechapel at The Royal London covers the North East of London.

Anyone can who has experienced rape or sexual assault can use the Haven services by calling one of the Havens. Someone is available 24 hours a day to take calls and answer enquiries and to make an appointment where appropriate. We take referrals up to one year after the attack. Anyone can be referred male or female of any age and people can use the service whether or not they are planning to report an assault to the police.

The services offered at the Havens are;

• treatment of minor injuries · emotional support (counselling)
• a medical (forensic) examination to collect evidence for court · emergency contraception (morning after pill) & referrals for emergency contraception (coil / inter-uterine device)
• prevention and / or treatment of sexually transmitted infections
• referrals to termination (abortion) clinics if required No one should have to deal with rape on their own. Now they don't have to.
  
  

  CAMBERWELL	Tel: 020 3299 1599	South London	Fax: 020 3299 1598
  PADDINGTON	Tel: 020 7886 1101	North West London	Fax: 020 7886 1850
  WHITECHAPEL	Tel: 020 7247 4787	North East London	Fax: 020 7247 5802

The posters are available to download in PDF format here:

• Generic Poster [ PDF, 1871 KB]
• Doctors Poster [ PDF, 1928 KB]
• Family Poster [ PDF, 1844 KB]
• Police Poster [ PDF, 1877 KB]

If you would like printed copies of the posters please contact your local Haven.

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