Mural to show safety of assault referral centre

A mural at the entrance of a new Manx sexual assault referral centre will represent the "protection and safety" the facility offers, the government has said.

Artists have been asked to put forward designs for the artwork at Thie Darragh, which is due to open in May 2025.

The work will feature an oak tree bending in the wind, along with the name of the centre - which includes the word oak in Manx - to represent the "trauma" victims face as well as the protection of the facility.

A bid has been made to the Isle of Man Arts Council for up to £10,000 to cover the costs for the design, creation and installation of the chosen work.

The depiction would be positioned at the entrance of the facility opposite a wall featuring a poem called The Oak Tree.

The new referral centre, expected to cost about £3.4m, would mean that both children and adults who are victims of sexual violence can access the service through the healthcare system.

Artists who apply must be Isle of Man-based and the deadline for submitting expressions of interest, including initial sketch ideas, is 22 July.

While the outcome of the bid for funding from the Isle of Man Arts Council is awaiting a decision, successful artists will be contacted once funds have been secured.

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