NSPCC's plan for new Croydon centre sparks controversy
by Anna Edwards
anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk
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NEW CENTRE: The NSPCC plans to move services that help victims of domestic abuse to Croydon
A petition has been launched to try and prevent an NSPCC service for abused children coming to Croydon.
Furious Surrey residents, who use the charity's services in Leatherhead, say the planned move of the After Sexual Abuse and Young Witness projects will leave many victims unable to access the services.
The NSPCC has previously told the Advertiser that the facility, which is due to open in the borough by April 2011, will improve its services.
The charity said that, for example, by bringing all its resources together, staff will be able to share examples of best practice.
More than 320 people have signed an online petition against the plans and a protest group on networking website Facebook has attracted over 600 members.
The new service would see the charity providing help to children and adults affected by sexual and domestic abuse, as well as working with offenders.
Safron Rose, the NSPCC's London and south east director, said the move was required to address areas which had a great need for the service.
She said: "We won't leave anyone behind. We are making sure we work with as many young people as possible in areas where there is an enormous need for our intervention."
2 Comments
by Tom, Local
Thursday, March 11 2010, 12:40PM
“Serious,
You have misunderstood this article like I did at first. It is the people of Surrey who are trying to keep it. The people of Croydon want it moved to here. The answer would be two centres.”
by Tom, Local
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 3:51PM
“So the protest is by people in Surrey concerned that they are going to lose the service. I first read it as a protest by people in Croydon against it being located here. In short, there aren't enough of these centres. What an indictment of our society.”