A call for Island survivors of rape and sexual assault to have access to timely and trauma-informed specialist services with as little Mainland travel as possible could be endorsed by the Isle of Wight Council.
Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Lilley’s motion on Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services comes as a petition urging authorities to prioritise establishing such a facility on the Isle of Wight nears 2,000 signatures.
Survivor’s petition nears 2,000 signatures
Island rape survivor Bethaney Stone started the Change.org campaign to bring a SARC to the Island after waiving her right to anonymity.
Her campaign was prompted by the “degrading” treatment she experienced on a ferry to a Mainland centre, hours after the attack.
What the motion asks for
Councillor Lilley’s motion says the council should support the principle that Island survivors of rape and sexual assault should have access to timely, trauma-informed specialist services while minimising, wherever reasonably possible, the additional burden of Mainland travel.
It states the authority should ask the appropriate NHS and Police and Crime Commissioner bodies to consider the particular needs of Isle of Wight residents, and to examine the feasibility of improving Island access to SARC services, including whether an Island-based service or element of provision could safely and sustainably meet the required national standards.
The motion also requests that County Hall’s leader or chair writes to NHS England and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, setting out this position and inviting them to engage with Island representatives, residents and other relevant stakeholders in considering the available options.
In addition, the submission proposes to invite the relevant commissioning bodies to provide an update to the council in due course.
What happens next
It does not commit County Hall to commission, provide or fund SARC services.
Councillors will vote on the motion at a meeting next Wednesday (18th November 2026), starting at 6pm.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
