Clacton Pier and Clacton Town Hall have turned purple for Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week which runs between 4^th and 10^th February 2019. 

The initiative is co-ordinated by CARA (Centre for Action on Rape an Abuse), a charity working with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse from across mid and north Essex, including from outreach premises in Clacton and Harwich.  Over the last year, CARA has supported just under 1,200 adults, young people and children, with over 220 coming from Tendring alone.

Sadly, sexual violence and child sexual abuse are very common, particularly affecting women and girls.  The Ministry of Justice estimates that more than 1 in 5 women and up to 1 in 10 men has experienced some form of sexual violence since the age of 16.   The NSPCC estimates that 1 in 20 children has been sexually abused – that’s one or two children in every school classroom.

2019 is CARA’s 30^th year of supporting survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse and Turning Clacton Purple is the first in a series of events planned to mark this milestone. 

CARA was originally formed in 1989 as Colchester Rape Crisis Line, starting as a small volunteer-run group supporting women from a tiny office in Colchester.  Colchester Rape Crisis Line registered as a charity in 1990 and became CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) in 2008, reflecting the much wider area of Essex the charity had started to cover and the large number of survivors of child sexual abuse that were seeking support.   Today CARA provides a wide range of services to victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, working with people of all ages and all genders.  CARA has a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Clacton, Chelmsford, Great Dunmow and Harwich. 

Sexual violence and child sexual abuse are largely “hidden harms” and many victims and survivors do not disclose what has happened to them until weeks, months or even years after the incident has taken place, fearing that they will not be believed, or that they will be blamed for what has happened to them.  However, over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in public awareness of these issues and as a result, more and more victims and survivors now feel confident enough to seek CARA’s support and sometimes to report what has happened to them to the police. 

CARA is hoping to raise £30,000 in its 30^th year through events, fundraising activities and donations.  

CARA’s Director, Helen Parr said: “Demand for CARA’s services has more than trebled over the last five years and CARA has had to grow very rapidly to respond to this increased demand.  We need to secure funding so that we can support the many victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse who need our help - now and in the future. 

We are delighted that Clacton Pier and Tendring District Council are supporting us in our 30^th year and Turning Clacton Purple for Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.” 

Clacton Pier Director, Elliot Ball said it is important to get behind any initiative which tries to create safer communities for all.  “The Pier will be proud to turn purple for the week to help raise awareness of this very important issue and support CARA’s vital work to reduce sexual abuse and sexual violence”.

Cllr Lynda McWilliams, Tendring District Council Cabinet Member responsible for Community Safety, said it was important to raise awareness not only of this often-hidden issue, but also for the good work CARA does supporting victims.  “I am pleased that we are able to turn the Town Hall purple and take part in Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week – particularly in 2019 which is CARA’s 30^th anniversary,” Cllr McWilliams said.

“While it is a shame CARA is needed at all, it is vital we do all that we can to support those who are victims to some of the most horrific crimes.”

To find out more about the services CARA provides, make a donation to the support the charity’s work or find out about the events CARA has planned for its 30^th year go to www.caraessex.org.uk