A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND programme for victims of rape and sexual assault in Oxford has been published for free online.

First Response was coded by women in Oxford as part of a collaboration between students, Oxford University and the Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre (OSARCC).

Students from It Happens Here, the university’s student union campaign to raise awareness of sexual violence at university, pitched in to create the programme.

Eden Tanner, the co-chair of It Happens Here, said: “The First Response app is a critical development for supporting survivors in Oxford.

“It revolutionises how survivors can access support, and how we as a community can all take responsibility to be ready and prepared to help someone in distress.

“I’m thrilled to have played a part in creating something so vital, and I hope that everyone in Oxford will download the app so that they’re prepared if and when they need it.”

The app is now available to download for free on Apple and Android devices for all those aged over 17.

It takes survivors of sexual assault and those who know them through the options available to them in Oxford, including how to contact the police and referral centres, immediately after an incident. Common issues such as what counts as sexual consent are also explained.

Staff at OSARCC helped develop the concept of the app and offered material for the ‘frequently asked questions’ section based on their work with survivors.

Volunteer and outreach coordinator Ellie Bennett said: “As far as I know there has not been an app like this before, full stop.

“It’s really great that it has been done. There are probably people who don’t contact us because they don’t feel able to speak on the phone.

“We came up with common questions we are asked on the helpline: for example, ‘Was it my fault?’, ‘What should I do?’ and ‘How should I feel?’ so users can get short answers without having to call.”

According to data released by Thames Valley Police, 482 sexual offences were recorded in Oxford from October 2014 and September 2014. Of these, 157 were rape.

This was a notable increase on the year before, when only 291 sexual offences were recorded. The majority – about 82 per cent – went unsolved.

Ms Bennett added: “Better support and information for services is long overdue across the country. There have been some statistics in Oxford which remind us that sexual violence is happening here in the city.”

For more information or to download the app, visit firstresponseoxford.org