Yesterday I visited Leicester’s new Sexual Assault Referral Centre, also known as Juniper Lodge, to find out more about the work it does.

More than 60 victims were referred to the centre last month and one in three women experience physical or sexual violence, often from an intimate partner. It can happen to anyone and can cause lasting physical and emotional damage.

I will be working with our new police and crime commissioner, Lord Bach, to ensure we are doing everything we can to prevent rape and sexual assault and support survivors.

It was great to see the modern new facilities available now to survivors of rape and sexual assault and their families, which will provide specialist medical and emotional support.

You can read the Leicester Mercury’s coverage of the visit here: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/more-than-60-rape-and-sexual-violence-victims-helped-by-new-leicester-centre-last-month/story-29556471-detail/story.html#2E1jBCDWb56F08LY.99