Kingston Women's Centre slammed last week's poll conducted by "Wake up to Rape" for The Havens to mark 10 years of its operation.

The poll found that 56% of people in the UK thought that rape victims were partly to blame.

Cathy Kelley of Kingston Women's Centre in Kingston Upon Thames, said: "I'm absolutely appalled by that attitude". "Women tend to blame themselves and culturally they have always taken the blame.

Although very few cases end up in court, that someone who's been publically humiliated in court, attacked, and hurt should then be asked to take responsibility? It's a shameful attitude."

She believes that around 25% of women have had some sort of unwanted sexual advance, but fears it could be as high as 75%.

When asked what kind of education programs she knew of in Kingston to educate young people about the dangers of sexual irresponsibility she said: "It's very important to educate young men and boys to treat women with respect."

The Kingston Women's Center offers counselling and is run by donation. There is a lot of demand for their services, with referrals mainly coming from GPs, mental health services, prison probation services , Victim Support and the Samaritans.