Today, AWARE is proud to launch the Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC), Singapore’s first specialised drop-in centre supporting women who have been sexually assaulted.

Popular F&B outlets including Artistry and the restaurant and microbrewery, Brewerkz, will help to spread the word about SACC – getting the message out to women that help is at hand.

Since 2011, AWARE’s Sexual Assault Befrienders Service (SABS) has provided advice, assistance, legal and therapeutic counselling to victims of sexual assault.  SABS also provides specially trained Befrienders who accompany clients through the medical, legal and judicial processes of reporting sexual assault. In 2013, SABS received 192 calls and emails from women looking for help, an increase from 132 in 2012. In more than 80 per cent of the cases in 2013, the perpetrator was known to the victim.

From 26 May, SABS will be replaced by the Sexual Assault Care Centre to better meet the needs of victims for immediate and holistic support. SACC will broaden the suite of services offered in two key ways:

1. A new drop-in centre at the AWARE centre will provide a safe space where victims can immediately consult an on-site social worker and receive counselling, without any prior appointment.
2. Extended hours for the SACC helpline: The dedicated SACC helpline (6779 0282) will operate extended hours – running from 10am to midnight, instead of closing at 9.30pm.  Members of the public can also seek assistance at sacc@aware.org.sg.

Over the next year, AWARE will refurbish an unused room in the AWARE Centre to create a safe and comfortable space where clients can receive assistance and access resources on sexual assault. Design consultant Sio Lim from Slim Studio has kindly agreed to design this space pro bono.

Globally, sexual assault remains one of the most under-reported crimes. “Victims often find it hard to speak up even to friends and family, let alone report to police,” said Corinna Lim, Executive Director of AWARE. “They fear blame, disbelief or lengthy and complicated legal procedures. It is crucial for their recovery that they have access to the informed and non-judgmental support which a specialised service can provide.”

“SABS is a much needed service in Singapore,” says Udhia Kumar, a social worker who works with women who have experienced violence in their lives. “With this upgrade to SACC, victims will be better able to get the specialised help and resources they need without being blamed or pressured in any way.”

Women who have used the SABS service have found it very helpful. “When no one was there for me and no one trusted me, I found AWARE where I felt listened to and believed, and found the courage to take action,” said one client, who faced sexual harassment online for months and approached AWARE for legal advice and its befriender service.

AWARE will be working with restaurants and bars to spread the simple message that help is available for victims of sexual assault.  Brewerkz has agreed to place 20 colourful, eye-grabbing SACC stickers (see Annex A below) in the bathrooms of its Clarke Quay location, and Artistry will do the same in its café at Kampong Glam. The stickers will include the helpline number and email address of SACC, reaching women in a safe space where they can take the details down.

“We’re proud to support the Sexual Assault Care Centre,” said Adora Sarah Chou, Senior Marketing Representative at Brewerkz. “The safety of our customers is a priority for us, and we are happy we can provide them with critical information they might need for themselves or for a friend.”

“Supporting the community we work in is a key value of Artistry,” said Prashant Somosundram, Partner at Artistry. “The services provided by SACC can be very helpful for our many female customers, and we are glad we can help spread the word.”