Acer House has facilities where victims can get healthcare and forensic medical examinations along with video interview rooms and waiting rooms for families.
It has opened following a £3 million investment with the backing of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and will increase existing victim services’ capacity fourfold.
North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, Deputy Mayor for Policing Jo Coles and North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Tim Forber said it would help victims and bring more perpetrators to justice.
The centre houses York and North Yorkshire’s Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services.
It has opened to replace an existing centre in York and it is designed to meet the latest national standards for such facilities.
Acer House is located on the outskirts of York near major transport links and is open all hours for sexual assault and rape victims.
Victims aged 16 and over can go to the centre without a referral but those who are younger need to be referred by police officers, health professionals or social care workers.
The centre offers support to victims in the first instance but evidence is gathered and stored so it can be used if they decide to press charges.
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