A RAPE crisis service due to be launched Ipswich this year is looking for female volunteers to help run its confidential helpline.

Suffolk Rape Crisis will provide a range of specialist services for women and girls in the county who have been raped or experienced another form of sexual violence - either as adults or as children.

Linda Durrant, chairman of the Suffolk Rape Crisis steering group said: “The Equality and Human Rights Commission documented in the Map of Gaps report the postcode lottery of violence against women support services in Britain.

“In particular it showed that women living in the East of England and the south-east have far fewer services to turn to than those living elsewhere.

“There has been no rape crisis provision in Suffolk for instance since 2006, when a lack of funding forced the former Ipswich centre to close, leaving local women with nowhere to turn to for support following a rape or sexual assault.

“So, with the help of Rape Crisis England and Wales, a group of us got together and set up Suffolk Rape Crisis, to try and close the gap and ensure that there is a rape crisis service for women in Suffolk.

“We’re delighted to be at the stage now when we’re almost ready to launch the service – but before we can do that we need volunteers to run the helpline.”

Interviews for helpline volunteers will take place on the April 23 and 24.

Successful applicants must then be available to attend training on the following dates: Saturday, May 8, Sunday May 16, Saturday, May 29, Sunday, June 13, Sunday, June 20, Friday, June 25, Sunday, July 4, Friday, July 9 and Sunday, July 18.

Suffolk Rape Crisis will also provide supervision, continued professional development and invaluable experience in exchange for a commitment of three hours per week.

For an application form email Kristina Hearnden - Kristina@suffolkrapecrisis.co.uk

For further information telephone Nicky Reed on 07930827083