Twenty years ago, a service was launched in Colchester offering vital support for victims of rape and sexual abuse.

Two decades on, its manager says public attitudes to these crimes – and the shame felt by those affected – remains the same.

Lindsey Read is manager of the Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse (CARA), formerly Colchester Rape Crisis Line.

She says that while national strategies have tried to change the perception of sex crime victims, they are still held under disproportionate and unfair scrutiny.

“There is the idea that women bring this on themselves,” she said.

“They are often looked down upon and blamed for what has happened to them – because they went out alone, were drinking or were wearing attractive clothing.

“It doesn't happen with any other crime. If a woman had her house burgled, people wouldn't question her actions.”

She added: “There also needs to be a lot of work done on conviction rates.

“We are no further forward than we were 20 years ago.”

Ms Read says victims often feel a mixture of guilt and shame when they have been raped or abused, which can make it difficult for them even to approach a service like CARA.

But she stressed that the charity's trained therapists will never ask for more details than the victim is prepared to give.

“We never ask them intrusive questions – there's no pressure to tell us anything,” said Ms Read, who joined the charity in 2007.

“When you have been a victim, you have had no control over your situation.

“So it's not for us to tell you what to do and perpetuate that cycle.”

She added: “Women are often worried that we will go to the police if they tell us about a rape.

“But it's not our place to do that either – we just want to help the woman move on.

“We are led by them and what they want.”

Ms Read explained that each client is given a tailor-made support service.

As well as counselling, this can include help with practical issues like housing or legal problems.

This is then reviewed every few weeks to ensure it is working.

Around 150 women currently use the services of CARA, which started life in 1987 as a much smaller enterprise.

A handful of volunteers ran the helpline service on just £5,000 a year, regularly begging other groups to lend them a room on their premises.

Over the intervening years, the charity has grown to incorporate two paid members of staff and around 15 fully-trained volunteers, using two floors of a town centre property.

And it now covers both mid and north Essex.

But the successful growth of the charity has brought with it new trappings.

CARA now costs £150,000 to run each year. With no government funding, Mrs Read spends much of her time applying for grants.

“All our money comes from our own efforts,” she said.

“It's a constant worry because there's always the possibility that we won't tick the boxes.”

She added: “We are fine for the coming year but it is an age-old problem.

“It can be difficult as we are not a fluffy bunny charity.

“We represent the darker side of life that the public would rather not think about.”

If you would like to use CARA's services, call the 24-hour enquiry line on 01206 769795 or visit caraessex.org.uk If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, call Ms Read on 01206 367881 or email lindsey@caraessex.org.uk