Queen Camilla hails ‘kindness of strangers’ for launch of scheme
THE Queen has praised those behind the relaunch of a “wash bag” scheme for sexual assault victims for believing in the “kindness of strangers”.
Camilla hosted the organisations at a Buckingham Palace reception and recounted a mother’s story about her daughter who received a “wonderful bag of toiletries” that “lifted our moods” after a forensic examination following an attack.
Among the guests were Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, Home Secretary James Cleverly, former prime minister Theresa May and Jess Phillips, a former shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, alongside representatives from police forces, health services and others connected with the issue.
The King’s consort told her guests she first championed the idea of wash bags more than a decade ago after “learning more about the horrific impact sexual violence, and its aftermath, has on survivors” during visits to Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).
She told them the story of a woman she called Jane who attended a SARC, with her mother and sister, for a full forensic examination after being attacked.
“This was described by her mother as a ‘horrible, if necessary, event. We were preparing to leave and were all feeling very low and subdued.
“Jane’s personal contact then returned with a wonderful bag of toiletries and items to pamper and relax her. This simple act completely changed the atmosphere and lifted our moods. It was such a lovely and completely unexpected gesture, which reminded my daughters and I of the kindness of strangers at a very dark time’.
“As you can imagine, this letter moved me deeply. The phrase ‘the kindness of strangers at a very dark time’ is, to me, the guiding principle of everything that you all do.
“Reaching out a hand of friendship to people who have been dehumanised in the most brutal way; giving comfort to those who are traumatised; and offering hope that physical and emotional healing are possible, as Jane can vouch for.”
The Queen told those attending: “Your stories and your experiences are vital tools as we seek to bring about change: to forge a world in which people, whoever and wherever they are, do not live in fear of being abused.”