Resources & Research

This page includes research and resources that we have both created and compiled from our member agencies and other organisations working to support survivors of sexual violence. These will be handy for understanding what happened, how you feel or for what to do next. These guides are also very useful for professionals and students looking to expand their knowledge.

Pregnancy, Birth and Parenthood after Childhood Sexual Abuse

This resource will help women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA) to prepare for pregnancy, birth and parenthood. Read more

Videos

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

Guides for LGBT+ Survivors

Guides for and about Children & Young People

Guides to Understanding & Healing

Guides for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Guides to Reporting and the Law

Latest

If You Need Help Now

Rape and sexual violence are horrific and traumatic crimes. Many victims and survivors experience a wide range of emotions after rape or sexual assault and are often too shocked to act in the immediate moments. There is no right or wrong way to react or feel.

Petition: Make all sexual abuse offences exceptions under the double jeopardy rules

"Many victims will never be able to obtain justice or closure from the criminal courts as the law currently stands as their charges are not deemed "serious" or "severe" enough to be an exception to the double jeopardy rules."

Definitions of Sexual Violence

It can be hard to come to terms with what happened and even harder to understand how it is defined in the law. Here are the most current definitions of sexual violence in the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Victim Support NI Foyle

Area covered: Antrim & Newtownabbey, Causeway Coast & Glens, Derry City & Strabane, Fermanagh & Omagh, Mid & East Antrim and Mid-Ulster

Petition: Make all sexual abuse offences exceptions under the double jeopardy rules

Find Specialist Support in your Area

The Survivors Trust has 129 member organisations based in the UK & Ireland which provide specialist support for women, men & children who have survived rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse.

Right to Review – Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel

TST is recommending member agencies and ISVAs to alert their clients to the new right to review which has just been established by the Crown Prosecution Service and Police. The issue of survivors feeling that their case has not been investigated thoroughly or that perpetrators have not been charged has caused great distress for many survivors over many years.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC)

SARCs (sexual assault referral centres) are specialist medical and forensic services for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. They are designed to be comfortable and multi-functional, providing private space for interviews and forensic examinations, and some may also offer sexual health and counselling services.

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse: "Law must change" says Rape & CSA Charities

NAPAC (the National Association for People Abused in Childhood) is leading a coalition of charities in the call for legislation to introduce ‘Mandatory reporting’. The law would make failure to report suspected or known child abuse in ‘Regulated Activities’ a criminal offence. Regulated Activities include schools, sports clubs linked to national sports bodies, children’s homes and faith organisations*.