'We know it's not easy' for service tackling sexual abuse in Cambridgeshire
More than 1,000 victims a year come forward for help in the county
Volunteers in Cambridgeshire are being reassured help is at hand when dealing with stories of sexual violence.
Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC) has around 35 volunteers who take on different roles within the service, one of them being on a chat helpline for victims to use.
"We recognise it's not easy," Clara Isla, volunteer manager at CRCC, said.
"We check in at different points in their involvement with us, so it's not like they're expected to reach out; it's a proactive two-way relationship."
Tricky conversations
Those who decide to volunteer with CRCC take on around 50 hours of training before they officially join the service.
Ms Isla said some sessions last around six hours, which take place weekly.
But there can be times where volunteers may find it harder to manage certain conversations with victims.
"Sometimes they may come across an email, a call or a chat that's more tricky than the previous one, so that's why the support system's there," she said.
"We have some really strong practises around caring for each other, so we make sure being able to talk about what they listen to while maintaining confidentiality (between themselves and the victim) is frequently available to them."
More than 1,000 survivors helped a year
CRCC said more than 1,000 survivors of sexual abuse and violence a year are supported by the Cambridge and Peterborough Rape Crisis Partnership (CAPRCP).
A report by the county's police and crime commissioner Darryl Preston found in the first six months of 2025-26, 378 survivors were referred to the Independent Sexual Violence Advocate service, which provides practical and emotional support for those thinking of reporting to police.
While in the same period, 296 people were referred for emotional support through the support service run by CAPRCP.
"We need to make sure there are options out there for them (sexual abuse survivors)," Ms Isla said.
"We will never pressure them; we will make sure they have time and we talk about what they want to talk, it's a very free space where the survivor leads the conversation."
'We keep seeing survivors'
Since April 2025, more than 3,300 victims and witnesses of crime in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been supported through a police-led victim and witness hub.
Around 1,300 people said their improved health and wellbeing improved after accessing the hub, while 1,500 users said they felt safer as a result of the support provided.
The hub offers emotional and practical support to help people involved in crime help and recover from the impact of crime.
More people are encouraged to learn more about what sexual abuse and sexual violence is, and support survivors of abuse during a national awareness week starting today.
"When there aren't survivors who need us, that's the end of rape crisis," Ms Isla added.
"We keep seeing survivors, so I think the focus should be on raising awareness about it, whether we are aware of it or not."