Royal Watch News

Duchess of Cornwall donates toiletries to rape victims

Feb 6, 2013, 12:02 GMT

The Duchess of Cornwall

Britain's Duchess of Cornwall is handing out luxury toiletries to rape victims.

The 65-year-old royal has set up a special initiative and asked Clarence House to make up 750 bags of shampoo and body wash, which were donated by companies including Marks & Spencer, Champneys, 2 True and Trevor Sorbie.

The wash bags will be distributed by The Havens centres - which help people who have been raped or sexually assaulted - on a two-year trial basis, with plans to expand the project in the future.

Speaking at a reception in Clarence House, she said: 'When you are ill, the first thing that you want to do is wash your hair and clean your teeth. The same applies here.

'It is a small something to make women and girls who go through such a terrible ordeal feel just a little bit human again.

'We are starting in a small way but I hope that we will be able to expand the scheme. It won't change what has happened but might offer a small crumb of comfort at what is a very difficult time.'

The duchess has visited nine rape crisis and sexual assault referral centres in the UK since 2009 and is committed to making their patients' lives a little bit easier.

Jo Delaforce, matron at The Haven in Camberwell, London, explained: 'It will make a big difference. It won't take away what has happened to them, but it gives them a bit of TLC.'