The Emerald Centre SARC Area covered: Bedfordshire Expand The Emerald Centre SARC offers free support and practical help to anyone in Bedfordshire and Luton who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. Telephone: 01234 897504 (9am-5pm) 24 hour answer phoneOut of Hours Helpline: 0330 223 0099Email: [email protected]Website: www.emeraldcentre.org
Mandate Now Mandate Now is a pressure group that seeks the introduction of law requiring staff who work in 'Regulated Activities’ to report concerns about the welfare of children and vulnerable adults to the Local Authority. The Survivors Trust and it's members supports this work and is actively campaigning with Mandate Now. Expand Mandate Now is a pressure group that seeks the introduction of law requiring staff who work in 'Regulated Activities’ to report concerns about the welfare of children and vulnerable adults to the Local Authority. Mandatory reporting of suspected or known child abuse is a vital component of a functioning child protection system in institutional settings. If you work with children, and see one of your charges being abused or even raped, you might think you and your employer had a legal obligation to report it to the authorities. Not so. There is no legal requirement on anyone working with minors in England (Wales or Scotland) to report such incidents and concerns to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), children’s services or in the event of a ‘known’ crime, the police. It’s been like this for 60 years, nothing has changed despite the counterfeit ‘initiatives’ from Governments throughout his period. On 2 December 2015 Mandate Now handed in their petition signed by more than 200,000 individuals to Downing Street. Pictured are Mandate Now representatives, the cross party delegation of politicians and our CEO Fay Maxted outside of Downing Street. Mandate Now are still campaigning for mandatory reporting. Support them here: http://mandatenow.org.uk/
National Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week This is a yearly event spaced out over a week in February where organisations up and down the UK organise activities raising awareness of and campaigning against sexual violence Expand This is a yearly event spaced out over a week in February where organisations up and down the UK organise activities raising awareness and campaigning against sexual violence. The week aims to generate discussion among the general public, statutory bodies and third sector organisations about how sexual abuse and sexual violence is not ok. It aims to empower victims and send out a clear message that the UK collectively will be saying ‘It’s Not Ok’. In 2020, we attended the Light up the Night Survivors March in London and held free consent training at local high schools as part of our week of action. We also pushed the #itsnotok campaign across all of our social media. This year we will be attending the Light up the Night Survivors March, this time across Millennium Bridge, and we are again holding free consent training at local high schools. Keep track of the #itsnotok hashtag on social media to take part in Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2021!
Campus Consent In September 2018, The Survivors Trust ran a campaign across 13 university campus' in the UK about consent. The aim was to get new students informed and aware during freshers week. Expand In September 2018, The Survivors Trust ran a campaign across 13 university campus' in the UK about consent. The aim was to get new students informed and aware during freshers week. We also did a social media campaign called #notaskingforit where we asked students to send in their examples of behaviour that does not constitute consent. You can download the resources for your own campus here: Poster Leaflet Have Your Say
Why are there so many rape myths? There are a lot of myths surrounding rape and rape victims. This is part of the reason why so many survivors choose not to disclose or report what happened to them. So why do so many myths surround sexual violence victims? Expand A myth is defined as “an unproved or false collective belief that is used to justify a social institution” (Dictionary.com). There are a lot of myths surrounding rape and rape victims. This is part of the reason why so many survivors choose not to disclose or report what happened to them. So why do so many myths surround sexual violence victims? Myths and stereotypes are attempts to understand or explain what is happening in the world around us. For many of the general public, the idea that they too are at risk of being a victim of sexual violence is too difficult to accept. Instead of accepting this risk, some choose to find ways of blaming the victim for what happened to them. Rape myths therefore allow people to distance themselves from threat. These myths have been fuelled by missreporting and representation in our media. Rape myths are very useful to perpetrators and defence barristers and can be used to discredit victims. This can be incredibly damaging to survivors. They can exasperate feelings of shame, guilt and self-blame. They reduce the chances of survivors opening up about their experiences due to fears that they will not be believed or be judged for what happened to them. Rape is NEVER the fault of the victim and ALWAYS the fault of the perpetrator.
MYTH: Men can't be raped and women can't be perpetrators. This myth is very damaging. Men can and are raped. 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual assault or abuse in their lifetime. Expand This myth is very damaging. Men can and are raped. 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual assault or abuse in their lifetime. An estimated 12,000 men are raped in the UK every year, and more than 70,000 are sexually abused or assaulted (Survivors UK). There is also a myth that suggests that if a man is raped he must be gay. This is also not the case. Sexual abuse has nothing to do with sexual orientation. Another myth is that male perpetrators of male rape must be gay. As rape has nothing to do with sexual desire and everything to do with power and control, this is also not the case. The vast majority of perpetrators of sexual violence are men but women can and do commit sexual offences. The law states that rape is defined as non-consensual penetration with a penis. This means that women can not legally be charged with rape but they can be charged with sexual assault which is just as serious. The myth that women can not be perpetrators prevents these individuals from being held accountable and silences their victims who are even less likely to disclose than victims of male perpetrators.
MYTH: A lot of victims lie about being raped or give false reports. Only 2-3% of rape allegations are false. This widely believed myth is one of the largest barriers to disclosure and reporting that survivors face. Expand Only 2-3% of rape allegations are false. There is a perception in our society that false allegations are very common due to sensationalised media reporting and a recent focus on celebrity sex abuse scandals in the news. This is simply not the case. What many fail to consider is the ordeal that survivors must go through when reporting. Survivors can face abuse, disbelief and sometimes rejection from their loved ones when they make an allegation. When they report to the police, survivors are often asked to hand over their phone and their medical records are accessed. In a court setting, a survivors most intimate details are made public in an attempt to discredit their character and account. Making an allegation of rape is not something that is done lightly or without consequence for the victim. This widely believed myth is one of the largest barriers to disclosure and reporting that survivors face. In the most recent Crime Survey for England and Wales, it was found that less than 1 in 5 victims of rape or assault by penetration reported this to the police. 25% of those did not report because they thought that the police would not believe them. This myth is incredibly damaging for survivors and needs to be challenged at every possible opportunity so that survivors are able to access justice and support.
MYTH: If someone is sexually abused during their childhood, they are likely to become an abuser themselves. This harmful myth is as offensive as it is untrue, and can sometimes be used to try and justify/explain the behaviour of perpetrators. Expand This harmful myth is as offensive as it is untrue, and can sometimes be used to try and justify/explain the behaviour of perpetrators. The majority of survivors never go on to abuse. In fact, without the right kind of support, more than half (51%) of adults abused as children experience some form of abuse later in life. Myths like this affect survivors in many aspects of their lives, especially parenthood. There are many reasons that abusers do what they do. Although it is true to say that most adult perpetrators of child abuse (75%) were abused themselves as children, it is not true to assume that all abused children will grow up to be perpetrators. The vast majority of child abuse survivors will never perpetrate sexual abuse and are utterly appalled by the insinuation that they are capable of such an act.
MYTH: If someone had a physiological reaction (erection or orgasm) during an attack, that must mean that they enjoyed it. Our bodies react to stimuli; someone who is ticklish may laugh when they are tickled but that does not mean they enjoyed it. Physiological reactions to rape Expand Physiological reactions (erection or orgasm) result from physical contact, and sometimes even from extreme stress. When someone is attacked they can enter ‘hyperarousal’ mode, another term for the ‘fight of flight’ reaction. Physiological reactions can be a by-product of the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism our body uses to keep us alive, and does not reflect a victim’s actual emotional response to the attack or indicate consent in any way. Our bodies react to stimuli; someone who is ticklish may laugh when they are tickled but that does not mean they enjoyed it. Physiological reactions to rape or sexual abuse work in the same way as this.
MYTH: If a victim of sexual assault does not fight back, they must have thought the assault was not that bad or they wanted it. It is very common to hear about the 'flight or fight' response to danger, however many survivors experience immobility or a 'freeze' during an assault. Expand It is very common to hear about the 'flight or fight' response to danger, however many survivors experience immobility or a 'freeze' response during an assault. The 'freeze' response is identified in more than 1/3 of adult rape victims and in half of childhood sexual abuse victims. When we are in danger, the part of our brain called the amygdala will respond instinctively to ensure our survival. This part of our brain is not concerned with the later affect of this response (which for many can cause post-traumatic stress disorder) but is only concerned with immediate protection. If an individual reacts by shouting or screaming, they are likely to increase the likelihood of severe injury or death. This is why a lot of victims will subconsciously react with passive defence. Freeze is projected to cause the perpetrator to back off. If this fails a victim may move immediately to ‘flop’ in their response- muscular tension will drain away. The less tension in our muscles the less likely we are to sustain physical injury. At this point, victims may become very dissociative. If no physical escape is possible they internally escape which is a useful survival mechanism. If you reacted this way during an assault, know that it was not your fault. You had no control over how your brain reacted to the danger you were in. You did not want to be raped or sexually abused.
MYTH: Most rapists are not known to their victim. In less than 9% of cases a perpetrator is a stranger to the victim. In 90% of cases the victim is known to their offender. Expand In less than 9% of cases a perpetrator is a stranger to the victim. In 90% of cases the victim is known to their offender. The most serious and repeated offences are more likely to be committed by known persons, with offenders being family members more commonly for girls and young women and authority figures more commonly for boys and young men. Anyone can be a rapist; rapists can be any race, ethnicity, age, and from any economic background or social group. Rape and sexual abuse is about control and power and can be just one of many tools used to dominate a victim. Many people assume that rape can not happen within a relationship because consensual sex has already occurred. This is not the case. Consent must be provided EVERY time sexual activity starts and can be withdrawn at any point. It is not your duty or responsibility to sexually satisfy your partner when you do not want to and you should never be forced into this.
The Survivors Trust We offer a free and confidential helpline to any survivor that feels like they need to talk. Whether you want to discuss what happened to you or just call for a chat, our helpline volunteers will be there to listen. Expand We offer a free and confidential helpline to any survivor anywhere in the UK and Ireland that feels like they need to talk. Whether you want to discuss what happened to you or just call for a chat, our helpline volunteers will be there to listen. Free, confidential helpline: 08088 010 818 Monday- Thursday: 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5.30pm & 6pm-8pm Friday: 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-5.30pm Saturday: 10am-1pm Sunday: 5pm-8pm
Live Fear Free Helpline Live Fear Free is provided by the Welsh Government and provides help and advice to anyone experiencing sexual violence, supporters and practitioners. Expand Live Fear Free is provided by the Welsh Government. They can provide help and advice to: anyone experiencing sexual violence anyone who knows someone who needs help. For example, a friend, family member or colleague practitioners seeking professional advice. All conversations with Live Fear Free are confidential and are taken by staff that are highly experienced and fully trained. Call: 0808 80 10 800 Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Text: 07860077333 Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Website: https://gov.wales/live-fear-free
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) All adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Provides a national freephone support line. Expand The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) provides a UK-wide support line for adults who have suffered any type of abuse in childhood including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect. Helpline: 0808 801 0331 (Monday – Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday 10am-6pm) Address: NAPAC, Herald House, 15 Lamb’s Passage, Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8TQEmail: [email protected]Website: www.napac.org.uk Services offered: Our support line, email and postal service offers support, information and signposting to other organisations. Services for: Adult male and female survivors. We respond to contacts from anyone over the age of 18 who is seeking support for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect during childhood. We respond to callers who were themselves abused, their partners or family members, professionals and others who come into contact with survivors. Other Services in London
SurvivorsUK Male survivors aged 13+. Services for men in London and a National Web Chat for adult male survivors Expand SurvivorsUK helps to support men, trans, and non-binary people aged 13+ who have experienced sexual violence. We provide one-to-one counselling services (delivered face to face, by telephone and online), groupwork counselling, an independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA) service, an online national helpline, and a civil law clinic. SurvivorsUK also supplies training to counsellors and front line workers likely to come into contact with this client group to ensure a robust and sensitive service provision is widely available. National Web Chat for adult survivors of rape or sexual abuseMonday – Sunday 12pm -8pmWeb ChatText: 020 3322 1860Whatsapp: 07491 816 064 Postal Address: 11 Sovereign Close, London E1W 3HWOffice Telephone: 0203 598 3898 (Monday – Friday 09:30 – 17:00)Email: [email protected]Website: www.survivorsuk.orgArea covered: National: helpline and telephone/online counselling. London: ISVA and face to face/groupwork counselling Services offered: Helpline web chat One to one counselling for up to 1 year (telephone and face to face) Online counselling (12 weeks) ISVA service Civil law clinic in partnership with Bolt Burdon Kemp Training National database of organisations helping male survivors Blog and news Services for: Boys, men, trans, and non-binary survivors of sexual violence. Other Services in London
National Male Survivor Helpline The National Male Helpline for males living in England and Wales Expand 0808 800 5005 The National Male Helpline for males living in England and Wales Usual opening hours: Monday 9am – 5pm Tuesday 8am – 8pm Wednesday 9am – 5pm Thursday 8am – 8pm Friday 9am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 2pm Website: https://www.malesurvivor.co.uk/support-for-male-survivors/
Samaritans Samaritans is a charity dedicated to preventing suicide. Expand Free from any phone and open 24/7 every day of the year. Call 116 123. Samaritans is a charity dedicated to preventing suicide. They can talk to you if you are feeling
Rape Crisis England and Wales Rape Crisis England & Wales is a feminist organisation that exists to promote the needs and rights of women and girls who have experienced sexual violence, to improve services to them and to work towards the elimination of sexual violence. Expand Freephone 0808 802 999912 noon – 2.30pm and 7 – 9.30pm every day of the year Rape Crisis England & Wales is a feminist organisation that exists to promote the needs and rights of women and girls who have experienced sexual violence, to improve services to them and to work towards the elimination of sexual violence.Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
CIS’ters (Surviving Rape and/or Sexual Abuse) Female survivors aged 18+ that were were raped/sexually abused by a member of their immediate/extended family. National helpline and services in the Hampshire area. Expand Telephone: 02380 338080 CIS’ters is a survivor led group for women who, as female children/teens, were raped/sexually abused by a member of their immediate/extended family. Postal address: PO Box 119, Hampshire, SO50 9ZFEmail: [email protected]Website: www.cisters.org.ukArea covered: Hampshire & National Services offered: Support Telephone support Bulletin or newsletter Mutual support groups – held in Southampton Information Advice Helpline Services for: Women aged 18+ who are survivors of rape and/or sexual abuse during childhood where the perpetrator was a member of their immediate/or extended family. Also provide support for women aged 18+ who were raped and/or sexually abused by someone who was not a member of their immediate/extended family Partners of survivors of rape or sexual abuse Parents of survivors of rape or sexual abuse Mental health/care workers supporting survivors of rape or sexual abuse The helpline is available to female adult survivors of childhood rape/sexual abuse, and others can call if they have a concern about such issues. In the case of the latter we will seek to signpost them to appropriate services. Other Services in the South East Other Services in the South West
SupportLine Confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post. Expand Helpline: 01708 765200 (hours vary so ring for details) Confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post. SupportLine is particularly aimed at those who are isolated, at risk, vulnerable and victims of any form of abuse and specialises in providing emotional support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and anyone who has been raped/sexually assaulted. Postal address: PO Box 2860, Romford, Essex, RM7 1JAEmail: [email protected]Website: www.supportline.org.ukArea covered: UK Services offered: Emotional support and information on a wide range of issues including child abuse, adult survivors of child abuse, rape and sexual assault, self harm, eating disorders, mental health, depression, domestic violence. Database keeps details of organisations and support groups throughout the UK. Support and information is provided by telephone, email and post. Services for: Any individual – children, young people and adults.
Arch North East All survivors aged 14+. Area covered: Middlesbrough (Teesside) Expand Description of agency: We provide counselling and advice to people who have been affected by rape or sexual abuse. Support Line: 01642 822331Agency Enquiries: 01642 822335Email: [email protected]Website: www.archnortheast.org Area covered: Middlesborough Support offered: The Counselling Service: This is a free and confidential counselling service for people (14+) who have suffered rape or sexual abuse at any time in their lives. Our counsellors are qualifies and specially trained to work with survivors of sexual abuse. They work to BACP ethics and standards. Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) Service: This service offers anyone over the age of 14 yrs, who has been raped or sexually abused, immediate support with crisis intervention and reporting to the police. The adviser will provide emotional and practical support whether the rape or abuse has been reported to the police or not. If the case is reported and goes to court, the adviser will provide emotional support, arrange pre-trial visits to the court building, explain the court process and liaise with the police and crown prosecution service on the client’s behalf. The ISVA service covers the areas of Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool. Appointments can be held at our centre or at another suitable venue. Life Enhancement Skills Adviser (LESA) Service: The service offers practical help and support on a wide range of issues and is only available to Arch clients. If you have suffered rape or sexual abuse you may find you are not dealing with practical issues because your emotions are on a rollercoaster ride, you my feel that your head is all over the place and are unable to deal with practical issues. The LESA will support you practically and emotionally to enable you to get on with your life and bring back some normality. Services for: Anyone over the age of 14years. We do not work with anyone who had been investigated or accused of a sexual offence. Other Services in the North East of England
Young Persons Advisory Service Children under 18. Area covered: Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens (Merseyside) Expand Established in 1966 the Young Person's Advisory Service (YPAS) is a charitable sector organisation that supports children, young people and families. We have 3 locations in Central, South and North Liverpool. Telephone: 0151 707 1025Email: [email protected]Website: www.ypas.org.ukArea covered: Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens (Merseyside) Support offered: Counselling Newsletter Therapy groups Mutual support groups Information Services for: Female & Male survivors under 18 years old Other Services in the North West
Trust House Lancashire All survivors. Area covered: Lancashire Expand Trust House Lancashire offers a safe space where survivors of all forms of rape and sexual abuse can access a range of services to help improve their health and well being, regain their confidence and self-esteem and be empowered to reclaim their lives. Office: 01772 825 288Email (help & support): [email protected]Email (referrals & enquiries): [email protected]Website: Trust House LancashireArea covered: Lancashire Support offered: Helpline Specialist Counselling Information, Support & Advice Children’s and Young Persons ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Adviser) Services for: Female & Male survivors of rape and sexual abuse Other Services in the North West
Survivors Manchester Male survivors aged 18+. Area covered: Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan) Expand Survivors Manchester is a survivor-led charitable organisation supporting male survivors of sexual abuse and rape in Greater Manchester, whether the traumatic event is current or non-recent. We believe that by breaking the silence, we can defeat the legacy of the past and move forward to a positive and healthy future. Address: P.O Box 4325, Manchester, M61 0BGTelephone: 0161 236 2182 Helpline: 0808 800 5005 Email: [email protected]Website: www.survivorsmanchester.org.ukArea covered: Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan) Services offered: Survivors Manchester provides a specialist website for male survivors and their supporters that includes self-help materials, survivors stories, news and useful links; an email support service; and two face to face services in the form of a therapeutic-led peer-support group and 1:1 counselling service. Services for: Adult (18+) Male survivors Other Services in the North West