A CHARITY working with sexual abuse and rape victims fears it has become the target of a serial attacker.
Family Matters, based in Gravesend, has been the victim of vandalism for the third time in six months. First the charity’s double-glazed windows were broken, then their statue had its head removed, and after it was recovered and repaired the entire stone sculpture was stolen.
The three incidents raise fears among charity staff that they are being serially targeted. They even fear the attacker could be an abuser or rapist furious at their support for victims.
Malcolm Gilbert, Family Matters Operations Director, said: ”Although we can’t be sure at this stage, the attack does feel very personal, certainly as the charity’s statue represents the victims for whom we provide a counselling service. After the first incident we thought it was a simple act of vandalism but now we are wondering if we are being targeted. We are the only building in the road to have been vandalised.”
The statue was sculpted by a man who is working with the Crayford Centre, a community programme established to provide a support service for people with mental health problems.
The charity is now considering installing CCTV for security purposes but this will be expensive. Mr Gilbert said: “Should we decide to invest in CCTV it will obviously take away from our resources, which should be for providing a service for the victims of sexual abuse and rape. If it’s just vandalism, it is a particularly callous attack indicating the indifference of people to the plight of our many service users.”
Anyone with any information regarding these crimes, please contact Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse or rape and would like support, please contact Family Matters Helpline on 01474 537392.
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