18 June 2012 Last updated at 08:29 ET

Worcestershire sexual violence and abuse forum launched

A new forum is being launched to increase awareness about the issue of sexual violence and abuse in Worcestershire.

Organisers said members of the forum would meet twice a year.

Ros Walker, who runs the county's Forum Against Domestic Abuse, said: "Tackling sexual violence and abuse is wider than domestic and this forum will deal with the issue in its own right."

She said it was part of a three-year plan to raise the profile of the issue.

Ms Walker said: "We want to work in partnership to tackle this hidden and distressing problem and ensure people have the right access to support."

She said the forum would focus on ways of dealing with the problem in children and young people.

Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre said requests for counselling increased by 219 from 2010 to 2011.