Supporters of Trust House Reading are running the Reading half-marathon on March 22nd to raise funds and awareness of the newly opened centre which offers support for survivors of sexual violence.

Until March 7^th 2014 there were no support services in Reading for women, children and men who had been affected by sexual abuse. Thanks to a dedicated campaign on Facebook, which was widely supported across the town, victims of sexual violence now have a centre where they can access counselling, advice and, importantly, be believed.

We need the local community to be aware of these facilities: for current survivors of sexual violence; people who know friends or loved ones who have experienced abuse and for those who may experience such violence in the future. We want women, men and children throughout Reading to recognise that support is available in our town. Before Sinead Gibson’s online community campaign, many people assumed that support was available. It wasn’t. It is now.