Tuesday 01 November 2022
The States of Guernsey is now recruiting for someone to manage the future Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).
After its commitment at the start of this year to expedite work on a pilot SARC, the Committee for Home Affairs has overseen a range of scoping and exploratory work and engagement with key stakeholders across the community.
Following the completion of this work, it is now ready to recruit someone on a three-year contract to take on the responsibility of setting up the SARC.
The SARC will aim to improve Health and Criminal Justice outcomes for the victims of sexual assault. It will give them a safe place to go that isn't straight to the police, but will still allow for proper, professional support and the potential of evidence gathering. The Committee forHome Affairs has agreed it is a vital requirement for the island as it seeks to improve the way the community tackle sexual violence.
Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee for Home Affairs, said:
"Following unanimous support from the assembly at the end of 2021 to fund the introduction of a pilot scheme for a SARC in 2023, we have directed officers to undertake the necessary work to establish what a Sexual Assault Referral Centre could look like in Guernsey. That important work has now been done, and we are ready to recruit someone to drive the project forwards into its next stages. I know the Committee all take the issue of sexual violence very seriously, and we look forward to working alongside whoever is appointed to this role to implement this key piece of the puzzle."
The Office of the Committee is looking for someone to lead and manage the development of the SARC from the point of conception, now, through its commencement and then the evaluation of the pilot scheme.
Deputy Sue Aldwell, member of the Committee for Home Affairs, said:
"Addressing sexual violence as an issue in our community is something that has been very important to us as a Committee so far this term. The SARC is just one of the elements we have been looking to progress, however it is a very important one. We must do everything we can to ensure victims of sexual violence have a safe place to go, and a Sexual Assault Referral Centre can be a place that is detached from the criminal justice system, but that is still safe and has trained professionals ready to support people in a vulnerable position. Equally, I continue to be determined to reduce the number of these incidents which happen in the first place, and we will continue to work toward that goal."
All of the information regarding the role, including the full job description and how to apply, can be found here: States of Guernsey Careers: Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Manager (Three year Fixed Term Contract) (88084) (successfactors.eu)
