A year-long campaign launching this month will raise awareness of the impact of sexual assault and abuse, and the support available to victims from Staffordshire Women’s Aid’s new Survive service.
Developed by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office, the new campaign features a series of powerful videos which use a diverse range of actors to tell a real survivor’s account of sexual abuse, and the help they received to get their life back on track:
“I needed support as a survivor of child abuse. I wasn’t eating, I wasn’t sleeping. I was always on edge but at the same time numb. Sometimes it almost feels like it wasn’t me it happened to. If you are being abused, speak out. You can tell someone; there is help available. It is very important to have someone I can trust. I guess I found my voice.”
The campaign will run across social media, print, mobile digital advertising and display advertising at supermarkets and train stations, and will be supported by a variety of public and private sector partners.
Survive is a free service commissioned by Staffordshire Commissioner Matthew Ellis with an investment of £300,000 per year for the next two years. Staffordshire County Council also provided £20,000 per year towards the service and supported the commissioning process.
Mr Ellis said: ‘The impact of these crimes can be devastating, not only to the victims themselves but to their families and loved ones. This campaign really brings home, in a powerful, visual way, the emotional and physical harm sexual abuse causes, and how essential a service like Survive is in helping those affected pick up the pieces.’
Dickie James, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Women’s Aid, said: ‘This campaign raises awareness of victims’ experiences and highlights they are not alone, they will be believed and that support is available to help them cope and recover from the trauma of abuse.’
The service covers Staffordshire (not including Stoke-on-Trent, which has its own existing arrangements), providing free, non-judgmental and confidential support for adults and children over the age of four to help them recover from the impact of the crime and the harm they have experienced. The service also supports victims’ family members and those close to them.
Survive supports victims, both male and female, at every stage, from reporting the crime or recognising they need support, to exiting the service. Victims can seek support whether they report the crime to the police or not.
Survive is accessible, simple to navigate and prevents victims having to repeat their story on multiple occasions. The service offers:
- Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) and Children’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (CHISVA) providing practical help, advice and emotional support. This also includes support to navigate the criminal justice system for victims who have reported to the police.
- Practical and emotional support for victims’ family members and those close to them, who have been impacted by the crime. It helps to meet the needs of victims and their families, providing accurate information on criminal justice processes, victims’ rights and referring to other agencies as appropriate.
- Therapeutic counselling in a safe and supported environment, for both adults and children over the age of four, who have experienced sexual assault and abuse at any point during their lives.
- Geographically based staff to ensure coverage across the county.
- Onward referrals to other specialist support agencies.
If you would like to talk to someone about accessing the Survive service, or would like to make a referral, please call the 24-hour helpline on 0300 330 5959 or email survive@staffordshirewomensaid.org
