A HEREFORD woman has told how she was raped in the city when she was just 17 years old.

Recalling the attack, she said it had affected every part of her life, and that she has never stopped being afraid.

Saffron Waters, who is now aged 50, waived her legal right of anonymity to talk about her experience.

“It has affected every single element of my life,” she said.

“I had a breakdown. I had all sorts of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“The best way I can describe it is a part of you actually dies when it happens.

“You don’t ever stop being afraid.

“I have had to walk past the place I was attacked every day,” she said.

Ms Waters moved away from Hereford after the attack, but moved back some years later to take care of an ill relative.

For years she chose not to report the rape.

When eventually she did the culprit could not be identified and the case was closed.

She first spoke publicly about what happened in a 2017 Channel 5 documentary called Raped: My Story, in which 10 people discussed their experiences.

“The reason I was in the documentary is because it’s not something that ever goes away, it’s not something you ever get over. Being assaulted sexually changes you forever."

Now, she is speak up again because the service that supported her after her ordeal is under threat.

After she reported her attack to the police they referred her to West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, where she received specialised services to deal with survivors’ trauma.

But is was forced to close its waiting list on June 30 because it did not have sufficient funds.

“They literally saved my life,” she said.

All the clients who were already on the waiting list will be offered counselling support when a counsellor becomes available, but new referrals were declined as of July 1.

Currently the centre is averaging an increase in demand of between 32 per cent and 37 per cent across all services, and it expects the trend to continue for some time.

The average time it takes for an adult survivor of sexual violence to come forward is between 18 months and two years.

National data indicates that there will be another spike in referrals now that coronavirus restrictions have reduced.

The increase coincides with delays in the criminal justice system, highlighted in the recent government rape review. Find this here: gov.uk

Ms Waters said: “I have PTSD, which a lot of survivors have – either diagnosed or undiagnosed.

“Specified rape counselling is fairly new really, and a lot of people don’t understand how important it is for it to be specific.

“You learn better ways of dealing with it, and that is why the counselling is absolutely foundationally important because they teach you strategies to deal with the trauma, to deal with the fears, the self-loathing, the suicidal thoughts.”

Saffron is now the mother to two grown up children, happily single and working as a customer service team leader.

She said the centre was a lifeline for her.

“I’m finally at a stage in my life where I feel happy, and it’s the first time in a long time, if it wasn’t for them, I would not be where I am today.”

The police and crime commissioner's office funds most of the centre's advocacy service, and has also contributed to its therapy services..

Jocelyn Anderson, chief executive officer, said: “The counselling service has always been underfunded and is reliant upon central government funding.

“Aside from the police and crime commissioner, the centre does not receive any local funding from health or local authority partners.

“Therapy services for survivors of sexual violence are not currently commissioned as no statutory agency currently considers that they have responsibility for doing so despite many of our clients being referred from mental health services, GPs, police and social services.

“Leaving survivors without support is not only heartbreaking but has implications for partner agencies regarding safeguarding and support for a vulnerable client group.”

The advocacy service and referrals to the West Midlands children and young person sexual assault referral centre service have remained unaffected by this closure.

The centre and advocates are pushing for further funding from local governmental groups, requesting donations and looking for support from local people.

Here is what you can do:

• Write to Jessie Norman (jesse.norman.mp@parliament.uk) and Bill Wiggins (officeofbillwigginmp@parliament.uk)

• Herefordshire Council has provided some money as an interim measure. Write to say you support that action: gov.uk

• Donate to West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse centre

• Sponsorship