Barwon CASA Wimmera Counselling Services manager Jo-Anne Bates said the sexual assault crisis care unit should open before Christmas.

It includes a new forensic medical examination room, a first for the region.

Wimmera people have to travel to Ballarat or Melbourne if they want to provide evidence of sexual assault.

Police accompany the alleged victims to ensure evidence is not contaminated during the journey.

‘‘A trip to Ballarat could take between eight and 10 hours; to Melbourne could be 12 to 14 hours,’’ Ms Bates said.

‘‘That would certainly deter people from getting a service they can have, should have and are entitled to have.’’

Ms Bates said people would rarely need to leave the Wimmera for a forensic medical examination once the sexual assault crisis care unit opened.

Horsham Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team officer in charge Detective Sergeant Chris Grigg expected fewer people would refuse to provide evidence once the centre, opposite Horsham Police Station, opened.

‘‘We do have a fair amount of success in getting people to agree to travel to Ballarat,’’ Detective Sergeant Grigg said.

‘‘I only know of probably three in the past two years who have said no.

‘‘I’d say we’ve taken maybe 30 people to Ballarat in two years. Of that 30, at least 10 were hard work to convince.

‘‘If it’s across the road, that won’t be an argument anymore.’’

Detective Sergeant Grigg said he could not believe victims had to choose whether to endure the additional trauma of travel or forgo the opportunity to provide evidence.

‘‘Victims should not have to go to Ballarat to get examined for things that are happening in the Wimmera,’’ he said.

‘‘The fact that decision will soon be, ‘Do I go across the road or not?’ is a much better situation for them.

‘‘CASA has done a wonderful job to get it up and running.’’

Barwon CASA has spent more than $12,000 on the upgrades. Ms Bates said the money to make the crisis care unit operational came from core funding.

‘‘That puts a lot of stress and strain on our daily running,’’ she said.

Budget limitations mean the crisis care unit will open without a colposcope, used to examine children, and a shower.

Ms Bates said Barwon CASA Wimmera Counselling Services relied on the Wimmera’s forensic medical officer to provide a colposcope because it could not afford $30,000 to buy its own.

The Wimmera’s sole forensic medical officer, Dr David Wilson of Lister House Clinic, said while the crisis care unit would soon have enough equipment, there was room for improvement.

‘‘It would be nice to have a more expensive examination bed, an up-to-date colposcope and a bathroom where one can shower and change after an examination,’’ he said.

‘‘However what is more important is that people can be examined locally and not have to travel.’’

Dr Wilson said a second Wimmera doctor was training as a qualified forensic medical officer.

‘‘She will cover me when I’m not here, and will also give women the option of having a female doctor,’’ he said.

Ms Bates said people could call Barwon CASA Wimmera Counselling Services on 5381 1211 during business hours.

Barwon CASA also operates a 24-hour sexual assault crisis line, 1800 806 292.