History of PARCS

PARCS was founded in 1981 when it was realised 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. In order for the service to grow it became a project under the umbrella of Portsmouth Council of Community Service. The first paid 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 also 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 both the women and men’s service became more integrated resulting in a more centrally accessible service for women and men.

In 2000 PARCS achieved independence 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 administrators.

In 2008 the Chief Executive, Diana Warren-Holland and the Chair of the Trustees David Marshall decided to retire.  It is a great loss to the service but they have left an organisation that is well respected and admired throughout the south east of Hampshire.