A Suffolk charity that has helped more than 900 children who have suffered from sexual abuse has opened its new office in Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: Fresh Start - New Beginnings' new office in Norwich. Photo: FSNBFresh Start - New Beginnings' new office in Norwich. Photo: FSNB (Image: FSNB)

David Hockley, new chief executive of child sexual abuse charity Fresh Start – New Beginnings (FSNB), has made the decision of having a dedicated office and treatment room for the charity in Norwich due to the growing needs of the work they provide in Norfolk.

FSNB is the only charity in Norfolk offering therapy to children who have been sexually abused. It is a small yet positive charity that works with children to help rebuild their futures.

The majority of Norfolk remains unfunded so it is only through the charity's own fundraising efforts that children are able to be supported.

So far the charity has received over 200 requests for help regarding child victims in Norfolk.

Eastern Daily Press: Fresh Start - New Beginning's Diana Porter in a session. Photo: Fresh Start - New BeginningsFresh Start - New Beginning's Diana Porter in a session. Photo: Fresh Start - New Beginnings (Image: Fresh Start - New Beginnings)

Mr Hockley said: 'I am thrilled to take on the challenge of FSNB.

'I have big shoes to fill following in the footsteps of Diana Porter. The immediate focus is to raise the vital funds to enable FSNB to continue to deliver the much needed services in Norfolk.

'We have just taken on a premises in Norfolk within the MS Centre in Norwich and we have an office in Dereham. Without the vital statutory funding it is a real struggle to help all of the Norfolk children that need our help.'

He added: 'The recovery journey from child sexual abuse can be a challenging one but we work with children and their families for as long as they need us. There is a growing body of research that cites long term negative outcomes for survivors of sexual abuse that don't receive timely therapy during childhood, we must act now.'

Eastern Daily Press: A child by one of the notice boards at the Ipswich centre. Photo: Fresh Start - New BeginningsA child by one of the notice boards at the Ipswich centre. Photo: Fresh Start - New Beginnings (Image: Fresh Start - New Beginnings)

FSNB was set up in 2012 initially working in Suffolk. However the need in Norfolk could not be ignored and we started delivery in Norfolk in late 2015.

The team work throughout both Norfolk and Suffolk to help rebuild futures by taking away the guilt and the shame an abused child feels.