THE future of Oxfordshire’s only service for victims of rape and sexual abuse is secure, thanks to a Government grant.

The Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre has been given a £20,000 boost to carry on with its work.

Liz Hulme, who has been working as a volunteer at the centre for more than two years, said: “We are incredibly excited.

“It is potentially really ground-breaking for us because although we have been open since 1981, it has always been volunteer-led.

“I really hope this money means we can start putting down some very strong roots for the future.”

The centre provides a helpline three evenings a week and on Friday lunchtimes. Women and girls who call up do not have to give their name or age, nor answer any questions about themselves, but can talk confidentially to other women about what has happened to them.

Facilities are not provided for men, although calls from male victims will be redirected to other specialist services.

The grant will mean someone can be employed part-time to oversee the project, help attract funding and look at extending services.

Volunteer Jane has been manning the telephones at the centre for more than 10 years.

She said: “This money really secures our future and we are really excited.

“Over recent years we have been relying on the goodwill of volunteers to keep the centre open, we have had no paid staff at all and the volunteers have had to put in a huge amount of effort and hours.

“With volunteers, things can turn around very quickly because you only have to have two or three leave and then there is nobody to do the work.This money will allow us to employ somebody as a co-ordinator to make sure that our service can stay open and build on the good work we have done — and let the volunteers breathe a huge sigh of relief.”

In the last year, an estimated 350 women and girls contacted the centre for help.

Meetings are currently being held to discuss how best to use the grant, but it is planning to look into including face-to-face support for victims of sexual abuse, and survivor support groups.

The centre is currently run by about 20 volunteers, with the helplines – 01865 726295 or freephone 0800 7836294 – manned from 6.30-9pm on Mondays and Thursdays, 11.30am-2pm on Fridays and between 6pm and 8.30pm on Sundays, and a 24-hour answerphone.