THE cupboard is almost bare. A lone bear is left at Masterton Rape Crisis from a stock of around 50 a year ago. They are asking for financial donations to buy more.
The Masterton team have adopted the teddy bear as a gentle symbol of comfort and caring for rape victims
and they them out to victims and supporters.
Marie, one of the two co-ordinators says it's amazing how being able to offer a bear to cuddle can be so helpful.
"Often when stressed people need that careful physical comfort, a soft toy is ideal. It saves them ripping at their own knuckles or any written information we've given them."
She has not noticed a noticeable increase in reported rape, but the lone bear discovered was a timely reminder they needed to get more.
Rape Crisis would prefer to receive monetary donations than teddy bears because they want to buy them all the same and of the same quality. They are planning a special radio campaign.
There's a strong team of volunteers helping to run the centre in Masterton's Worksop Road. Their counselling service comes into play when a person who has been raped, calls them. Marie says they work in very closely with the police but have to have the victim's approval to be involved. They also spend time in schools teaching young people how to move about safely.
"Anywhere, anybody, anytime" is the message Rape Crisis nationwide sends out and the most common time for a rape to occur ? 4pm on Friday according to national statistics.
