THEY provide vital support and advice to women who have been affected by rape in the Borders.

And a sharp increase in demand for their services over the past six months means the Scottish Borders Rape Crisis Centre needs more volunteer support staff.

Speaking to the Peeblesshire News Service manager Susie Stein said: “From April 1 2014 to March 31 2015, we supported 90 survivors. In the last six months, we are already supporting 75 survivors for the year.”

Over the last year the majority of survivors seeking support have been over 25 years of age, however the centre has seen a considerable increase in the number of young people accessing the service since the beginning of April 2015.

“This isn't necessarily a case of more attacks occurring in the Borders,” said Susie. “But with a number of very high profile childhood sexual abuse stories making it into the newspapers and TV, people perhaps feel more comfortable coming forward now.”

The charity, which is run by women, offers emotional and practical support to women and girls over the age of 12 who have been affected by rape or other forms of sexual violence. This can be in the form of telephone or face to face support. The centre also provides information and support to family members of victims. Telephone support is available to males who have suffered sexual abuse as well.

“The work we do with survivors is typically 12 sessions over three months, but it can be longer,” said Susie. “We have a mix of self referrals and survivors who have been referred to us from elsewhere, be that their GP or from Police Scotland. We do get one-off calls, but it tends to be longer term support.”

In their 2014/15 annual report, the centre highlights that 31 per cent of survivors who had contacted them came from Teviot, 24 per cent from Eildon and 12 per cent from Cheviot. Berwickshire and Tweeddale had the lowest amount of survivors coming forward, with 11 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.

Distance might be a factor in that, even though the charity does operate an outreach programme. Susie said:“Our centre is based in Galashiels. Tweeddale and Berwickshire are some distance away. One of our strategic priorities over the next three years is to raise awareness of the service in those areas.”

The centre currently has four members of staff and nine volunteers. Amongst those volunteers are women who have suffered sexual violence themselves. “That can be part of the motivation for getting involved, certainly,” said Susie. “But for others, they are passionate about woman's rights. It's a broad mix, in life experience and age range.

“One example we had was of a woman that we had been working with who was experiencing terrible flashbacks and anxiety owing to childhood sexual abuse. With time and understanding, she has been able to develop effective strategies to manage her feelings.

“Now she has been able to get involved in community engagements and is even doing a bit of volunteering herself. We do hear stories like that from the women we support. It is great to be a part of that transformation. Our volunteers do make a difference.”

To contact the Borders Rape Crisis Centre contact 01896661070 or see http://www.scottishbordersrapecrisis.org.uk/