Children who have been sexually and physically abused in Leicestershire could soon have a less traumatic time – thanks to the Leicester Mercury.

The newspaper is asking readers to donate money, toys, clothes and furniture for a new centre which is being opened by the police.

It is taking the opportunity to run a series of hard-hitting interviews with people who have had forst-hand experience of the anguish caused by abuse.

The St Bernard’s Child Victim Centre will be based in a secret location in a house donated by the Hinckley and Rugby Building Society.

The centre will provide victims of child abuse with a brighter, more comfortable alternative to the intimidating atmosphere of a police station.

Now the Mercury is urging readers to get involved to kit out the centre ready for opening in April.

And it is also calling on local businesses to do their bit by committing money and equipment to the project.

The paper is planning to regularly publish appeals for the centre and is running a series of features highlighting the problems with the existing facilities for examining and interviewing abuse victims.

Shirley Hargreaves police project co-ordinator for the centre, said: “Please help us to help the abused children of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

“Our aim is to create as comfortable an environment for them as possible. Somewhere they won’t see officers in uniform, somewhere like their own home with toys and games to play with.”

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