Wash bags donated to help sexual assault survivors

Katie Donnelly and Julie Boner from Dewberry House hope the wash bags will bring comfort to people using the service

Survivors of sexual assault in Jersey will be given a wash bag filled with essentials.

The bags, from charity In Kind Direct, will be given when clients first visit Dewberry House, Jersey’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).

Each wash bag contains personal care items donated by Boots, including shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, a comb, lip salve and a toothbrush.

They represent a "small gesture of comfort during a highly distressing time for clients", said the charity.

Each wash bag contains personal care items

After a survivor of a sexual assault has attended Dewberry House, and in the instances where they have undergone a forensic medical examination, they are offered the chance to have a shower and are given fresh clothing, as clothing can be seized as evidence, said SARC.

Manager Katie Donnelly said: "The forensic examination can take up to eight hours.

"It can be exhausting so having a wash bag with all the essentials provided is one less worry after such a traumatic experience.

"Having a shower cleanses you."