Research
Please click on the following links to view more information on:
Developing Stability, Sustainability and Capacity for Specialist Third Sector Rape, Sexual Violence and Abuse Services
A Report prepared by Consult Research for The Survivors Trust
February 2010
Men and Healing: Theory, Research, and Practice in Working with Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Andy Fisher Ph.D, Rick Goodwin, MSW RSW and Mark Patton, MSW, RSW
"I thought it could never happen to boys" Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Boys in Cambodia
An exploratory study - January 2008. Alastair Hilton et al
Breaking the Cycle of Abuse: The results of outcome research carried out on survivors of childhood sexual abuse and rape of all ages receiving counselling from specialist charity Family Matters
A View from Inside the Box: I, II and III: Exploring service provision for survivors of sexual abuse/violence in the Bradford area
Developing Stability, Sustainability and Capacity for Specialist Third Sector Rape, Sexual Violence and Abuse Services
A Report prepared by Consult Research for The Survivors Trust
February 2010
This research - conducted by Consult Research on behalf of The Survivors Trust - provides the most extensive review of the factors affecting the stability and sustainability of third sector specialist sexual violence and abuse services in England and Wales to date.
The accompanying report explores factors affecting the ability of third sector rape, sexual violence and abuse crisis services in England and Wales to deliver services to victims/survivors, build stability and develop capacity. The report identifies the areas in which the development of sector capacity, stability and sustainability is most needed. Finally, clear and targeted recommendations are made around three key areas: funding, awareness and sector development.
The research set out to answer the following questions:
• What are the existing levels of resources and funding for specialist rape and sexual abuse crisis services?
• What are the different sources of funding or other resources?
• What is the operational impact of insecure funding?
• What are the barriers affecting stability and capacity across the sector?
• What do specialist services identify as crucial to supporting their stability and service development in the future?
Evidence provided by respondents highlights that the number of clients seeking support from specialist third sector rape and sexual abuse services greatly exceeds the number of victims accounted for by the latest British Crime Survey. Due to a lack of capacity many organisations are unable to meet the demand for their services, which is steadily rising. For example, the findings show that in every area where a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) has been established, specialist services report increased numbers of referrals - the majority of them unfunded.
It is clearly demonstrated that many specialist third sector rape and sexual abuse support services continue to struggle to maintain financial and organisational stability and a significant number of specialist agencies remain concerned about their ability to maintain services, let alone build capacity.
A review of recommendations made to the Government Stakeholder Advisory Group on Sexual Violence and Abuse in 2008 shows that in many areas of policy and practice there is still much to be done that can strengthen the position of specialist services, including increased involvement at local authority level, increased awareness of the prevalence and impact of sexual violence and abuse and recognition of the needs of victims and survivors.
The findings of this Study provide invaluable evidence of the need for a co-ordinated and structured local, national and regional response to funding specialist sexual violence and abuse support services in order for them to maintain current service provision and to allow services to increase their capability and capacity to meet victims' needs.
To link to the report please click here
Men and Healing: Theory, Research, and Practice in Working with Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Andy Fisher Ph.D, Rick Goodwin, MSW RSW and Mark Patton, MSW, RSW
Please click here to view the draft copy of Men and Healing in pdf form. This fabulous guidebook highlights the impact of sexual abuse trauma on boys and their development, in particular the lifetime effects of complex post traumatic stress on mood swings, depression, suicidal thoughts and relationships.
We're very pleased to advise that The Survivors Trust is in contact with Rick Goodwin of The Men's Project, who is keen to find out more about TST and establish ways of both agencies linking up. Rick advises that the guidebook is still in draft form, although the changes expected are modest and will be completed very shortly.
The final version will appear here once we have recived a copy.
"I thought it could never happen to boys"
Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Boys in Cambodia. An exploratory study - January 2008. Alastair Hilton et al.
In 2007, several Survivors Trust members contributed to a research study being carried out in Cambodia related to the sexual abuse of boys, the first ever study of its kind in that country. The research was carried out and written by a team of researchers from a local NGO based in Phnom Penh, called Social Services of Cambodia and English social worker Alastair Hilton. Some of you may remember Alastair as a founder member of Leicester based project 'first step' back in 1997.
Published in 2008 by World Vision and Swiss NGO Hagar, The Survivors Trust now has a soft copy of the research available which can be downloaded here. The title of the research is "I thought it could never happen to boys" and includes some interesting comparisons of issues for boys and men from the UK, Cambodia and Hong Kong.
Alastair has asked for his thanks and gratitude to be passed on to all Survivors Trust members who contributed to the study, which are acknowledged in the final report. He hopes to follow up the research with the development of services for boys and men in 2009. Watch this space...
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF ABUSE
 The results of outcome research carried out on survivors of childhood sexual abuse and rape of all ages receiving counselling from specialist charity Family Matters
2004 to 2006
Family Matters is a Gravesend based charity offering counselling and a helpline to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and rape of any age.
The service is available in SE London (Bexley, Bromley & Greenwich boroughs) and all of Kent down as far as Ashford (Medway, Dartford, Gravesham, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling, Swale, Maidstone and Ashford.).
The charity's work is almost solely maintained by charitable grants with only a small proportion of its income coming from statutory sources (Bexley, Greenwich & Medway).
Last year (06/08) we saw 479 clients and took some 3000 calls on our helpline. Demand for our services continues to be high with a current waiting list of 40 clients and a waiting time of 12 -16 weeks.
The counselling is time limited to 12 weeks initially, with extensions when a clinical need is identified. The client is put in the driving seat of their therapy and asked from the beginning to set personal goals and self assess their progress. The approach is integrative, using the core condition of empathy, congruence, unconditional positive regard & warmth. Given the time limits, the therapy has to be focussed.
Family Matters has around 35-40 volunteer and sessionally paid counsellors who travel to by-the-hour rented, High Street locations, a deliberate policy to increase accessibility and make the setting non medical.
The whole operation is overseen by Clinical Manager through a team of 6 specialist supervisors and an on-going self assessment system which is completed by the client. The entire operation is covered by an extensive Policies and Procedures document and underpinned by the BACP Ethical Framework. All counsellors with Family Matters receive in-house training in sexual abuse awareness and are tutored throughout their time with us by their supervisors.
In an effort to satisfy its funders in 2004 Family Matters began asking its clients to complete questionnaires towards the end of their counselling contracts with us. This usually takes place at the 10 week stage of our time limited 12 week counselling contracts.
The following report is a graphical breakdown of the results of those questionnaires.
10 week assessment results and FM breakdown for 2006/7
Malcolm Gilbert
General Manager, Family Matters.
A VIEW FROM INSIDE THE BOX: EXPLORING SERVICE PROVISION FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE/VIOLENCE IN THE BRADFORD AREA
A recent research project has explored service user and service provider views on service provision for (adult) survivors of sexual abuse/violence in the Bradford area of West Yorkshire. The research was commissioned by Survivors West Yorkshire, funded by the Communities of Interest Working Group and undertaken by Claire Fraser, Freelance Research Consultant.
"A View from Inside The Box" research by Claire Fraser - Project created and led by Bob Balfour on behalf of Survivor West Yorkshire
"A View Summary" by Clare Fraser
"A View from Inside The Box II - Survivor Matrix" research by James Smith - Project created and led by Bob Balfour on behalf of Survivors West Yorkshire
"Matrix Summary" by James Smith
**NEW!!**
"A View from Inside the Box III - 'Invisible Boys' - Meeting the needs of male victims/survivors of sexual violence and abuse within the Bradford District" - Project created and led by Bob Balfour on behalf of Survivors West Yorkshire
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