G4S wins contract to provide service to rape victims

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G4S, the controversial private security company which last week ousted its chief executive nearly a year after it failed to provide enough security guards for the London 2012 Olympics, is to run services providing counselling for victims of rape and sexual assault.

The company has been awarded a three-year contract to run two sexual assault referral centres (Sarcs) in Birmingham and Walsall. The national network of 33 centres allow rape and sexual assault victims to report attacks without going to the police first. The decision to award the contract was made by local NHS commissioners who have recently taken over responsibility for the network of Sarcs from the police.