VICTIMS of sexual abuse are ready to face the criminal justice system with the same fortitude as they faced their rapists, a conference was told – but they need the understanding and support of professionals and to have the process explained.

“In the past we haven’t listened to their voices closely enough,” Louise Brown, director of Bishop Auckland’s women’s refuge, told delegates attending the Tackling Sexual Violence Together event.

“Victims often don’t report the abuse because they know what happens when they get into the criminal justice system – they will have to talk about the most intimate details often about their most intimate other.

“As women we carry the shame of the blame. Rape within marriage was only repealed in the 1990s but there is still an attitudinal hangover.

Most perpetrators are related to, or are known by, the women involved who consider what reporting them will do to the family.”

Louise believes there is a cultural shift happening. “Their voices are becoming clearer; people are deciding to talk,” she said. “So what can we do? We need to hear, understand and act.”

Police and health officials from Darlington and County Durham were joined by a host of other interest groups at the stakeholder event, which was held at Darlington College, Blackwell Meadows.

The conference was staged to assess progress made since the launch of a four-year strategy by County Durham and Darlington’s Community Safety Partnerships, Safe Durham and Safer Darlington, in 2011 to combat the problem, and to consider the best way forward.

NHS County Durham’s Public Health Consultant, Claire Sullivan, said: “Recent high profile cases, such as Jimmy Savile, have challenged the establishment.

“They have shocked the public and led to a significant increase in the reporting of historic cases. The aim now is prevention, provision and protection because everyone has the right to be respected and valued.”

Durham Police Safeguarding Unit’s Helen Murphy outlined what had been achieved so far. “We have a high detection rate but we are not complacent and we want to improve our response,” she said.

Analysis of cases has revealed the most vulnerable groups and the influence alcohol plays in attacks.

Helen said one of the next steps was to get into schools so young people were made aware of what healthy relationships were like and what was inappropriate.

Delegates heard that a successful Sexual Assault Referral Centre, set up in The Meadows, Meadowfield, would be financed by the NHS in the future. Its services include support and counselling, sexual health screening and forensic medical examinations to protect evidence that could be used in the future.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Ron Hogg, told delegates combatting sexual violence was a priority for him and as such that he would work with agencies in Durham and Darlington as well as regionally.

“All services in this area are part of the policing family and we must work closely to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice, whilst facing key financial challenges in the coming years,” he said.

Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington Council, added: “It is essential that, as a society, we make victims of sexual violence feel safe enough to report the crime, knowing that they will be believed. We must all work together to protect and support victims and ensure that those who commit these crimes are punished.”