It is the first such centre in Wales that helps child victims

Elm Tree House is the first in Wales designed to cater for the needs of children as well as men and women.

Less formal surroundings are intended to encourage victims to seek help.

There are no requirements to report offences to the police, but officers are available if victims want to speak to them.

It has been set up with �100,000 funding from the Home Office and Welsh Assembly Government and will be run by the Welsh-based charity New Pathways.

Manger Libby Jones said: "It gives a full service to the victims of rape and sexual abuse.

The unique part about it is we can also take self-referrals Libby Jones

"It offers victims a service they never had before in partnership with police, health and social services working together.

"Having a sarc (sexual assault referral centre) in place allows victims to know the services are there to take care of victims and give the after care as well.

"If we get it right we should be able to reduce the secondary mental health issues, stop drug and alcohol abuse increasing, self-harming and dilute all the stresses that come with it.

"We can take referrals from police or other agencies but the unique part about it is we can also take self-referrals so if a victim did not want to go to the police and report it then they can come to the sarc."

Hidden crimes

Victims will also have access to trained crisis workers, and should they decide to report the offence to police they will receive support throughout the legal process.

According to Home Office figures, conviction rates for rape are 6%.

Det Ch Insp Pam Kelly of Dyfed-Powys Police said: "Sex crimes are hidden crimes and what we hear about is just the tip of the iceberg.

"Whilst there will be a trained officer available to respond to any reports of rape and sexual assault the sarc will focus equally on psychological, physical and legal issues.