New sexual assault support centre to open this year

The new centre is due to be operational later this year

A new centre on the Isle of Man built to remove the need for some sexual assault victims to travel away for support will open later this year.

The £3.3m centre, called Thie Darragh, will see clinical, psychological and practical care offered to victims and will be used as a space to gather evidence for the prosecution of offenders.

Work began on the centre in May 2024 and was created to remove the need for some victims to travel off-island for specialist services.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson said the centre aimed to "make the experience for victims as smooth and supportive as possible."

Work began on the facility in May 2024

She said: "We have ensured that the design meets the highest standards. The building, its facilities and the staff who will run it are truly impressive.

"A great deal of thought has gone into making sure this facility is focussed on making the experience for victims as smooth and supportive as possible."

The facility, originally due to open at the end of 2023, will now go through a commissioning process involving Manx Care, which will be responsible for the operation of the site.

The location of the centre has not been disclosed in a bid to ensure privacy of victims, a government spokesman said.