The Duchess of Cornwall visited Nottingham today for the national launch of the Wash Bag Project, a scheme that provides a wash bag of toiletries to people who have been affected by rape and sexual abuse.
The wash bags are provided by Boots UK and are given to Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) clients who have undergone a forensic examination, providing them with some comfort at a difficult time.
The Duchess met volunteers during the visit to a Boots UK site in Beeston who had helped pack 12,000 wash bags.
The scheme, which Boots UK has launched in collaboration with SARCs, was set up by Her Royal Highness after hearing the stories of rape and sexual abuse survivors during her frequent visits to the centres over the last five years.
Deborah Hooton, Service Manager, Nottinghamshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre, said: “The support that SARC’s offer to clients helps to improve their mental and physical health outcomes after they have been affected by sexual violence and enables them to gain some control back into their lives.”
“It is really positive that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall is taking great interest in SARCs as this is raising the profile of SARCs and will encourage those in need of our services to access them.”
