R.E.A.C.H Service Manager – Michelle Moody

Michelle is responsible for the day to day management of both Centres in Newcastle and Sunderland.  This includes the staff at REACH, the buildings, the finances, the future plans of REACH and communicating with internal and external partners.  All of this is done with one aim in mind - to help the people who have been sexually assaulted when they need it most and to improve upon the services that we currently offer.

R.E.A.C.H Clinical Directors - Dr Jantje Wilken and Dr Jan Welbury

Dr Jantje Wilken and Dr Jan Welbury share the Clinical Director post at REACH which was set up in May 2008. 

Dr Jantje Wilken trained as a nurse before she studied medicine.  She qualified in 1993 and came to England where she trained as a GP.   She has also worked in sexual health since 1999 and has worked at ‘the Haven’ SARC in south east London, from 2000-2004.  Since 2004 she has worked at REACH as well as being a local GP and continuing her work in sexual health.  From June 2009, Dr Wilken will be working as an Associate Specialist in Genitourinary Medicine in Newcroft House in the centre of Newcastle where REACH will be re-locating to later this year.


R.E.A.C.H Case Tracker – Catherine Mason & Fiona Thompson

R.E.A.C.H offers a case tracking service to all clients who report the assault to the police. With their permission a designated case tracker, aimed at providing one point of contact, will gather information to ensure clients are kept informed throughout the Criminal Justice System.

They will liaise with the officer in Charge (O.I.C.), the appointed Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (S.O.L.O), victim support, witness care unit and crown prosecution service.

Clients will be updated of any decisions made regarding their case, any bail conditions applied the accused, the dates of court hearings and outcomes, trial dates, verdicts and sentence and any other relevant information.

Case trackers will also ensure clients are fully informed of the support network available to them, before, during and after court hearings. Agencies such as victim support and witness care unit as well as R.E.A.C.H’s own counselling service is available throughout the process.

Case trackers will supply all this information to the client by whichever method they choose although it usually by either post or by the telephone.

Business Support

Michelle Alexander - Support Services Supervisor

Michelle manages the administrative business processes and procedures. Michelle is responsible for ensuring the two medical suites are suitably stocked with appropriate forensic supplies whilst maintaining high corporate standards throughout, for managing and maintaining a number of databases, including budget monitoring, providing a secretariat function to a number of meetings, as well as assisting the Manager in a range of project related work.


Rachael Paterson - Support Services Administrator

Rachael assists all staff in ensuring that clients are welcomed to the Centre in a sensitive and appropriate manner, that the booking diary is accurately maintained, that the Forensic Medical Examiners rota is published timely and accurately and that local databases are kept up to date in all respects.


R.E.A.C.H Counsellors

Counselling at R.E.A.C.H is provided to help you address your feelings and issues experienced following a rape or sexual assault.

The counsellor will help you understand more clearly what is happening and how you are feeling. They use a variety of techniques, which could include relaxation, colour therapy and art, to help you move on with your life.


R.E.A.C.H  Doctors

People who have been raped or sexually assaulted may wish to be medically examined. This can be done at one of the centres in a safe and comfortable environment away from a police station.

The doctors are specially trained as Sexual Offence Examiners and all of them are female.  The purpose of the examination is to gather forensic medical evidence of what happened in the assault and about the assault. They can also offer support and advice about any difficulties the person may be having. REACH have the facility of being able to provide both daytime and out of hours examinations.

Police S.O.L.O

Reporting an incident to the police as soon as possible can help prevent the loss of any critical evidence and enable the support process to begin immediately. However that is not to say victims cannot report the incident to the police at a later date.

Once the assault is reported a specially trained Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (S.O.L.O) will be assigned who will take the victim to the nearest R.E.A.C.H centre. They will treat the victim in a sympathetic and caring manner, taking statements and liaising with the case tracker.