PARCS was founded in 1981, following the realisation that there were no services for women who had been raped or sexually abused outside of London, a small group of women decided to form a telephone support service. This was initially operated by volunteers working from a Portsmouth Housing Association property in Portsmouth. Over the years it moved into a number of properties around the city. The service grew and funding was successfully achieved . It then became one of the Portsmouth Council of Community Service projects and funded workers were appointed with Manpower Services Commission (MSC) funding.
Over the years more and more men contacted the service, via the women's line and it became evident that a service for men was needed. In 1994 PARCS opened a separate men's service, which resulted in the appointment of male volunteers. Many outside of Portsmouth did not approve of PARCS working with men, as they believed them to be the perpetrators and not the victims. In 1996 PARCS launched an integrated service; this resulted in a more centrally accessible service for women and men.
In 2000 PARCS achieved independance from Portsmouth Council of Community Service and became a charity in its own right. Now PARCS has two separate telephone help lines, operating from two adjoining properties in the city. We have a board of directors, a Chief Executive, two Senior Practitioners, a Youth Outreach Worker, a full time counsellor (Mental Health) and two part time administators.
