A free countywide service to support victims of sexual assault and abuse – and their family members and partners – has supported over 650 people in its first year of operation.
The Survive Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Service provides a non-judgmental, confidential service for adults, both male and female, children over the age of four, and close family members and significant others who have been affected by sexual assault or abuse at any point during their lives. Victims can seek support whether they report the crime to the police or not.
Since it was established in November 2020, Survive has supported 597 victims and 56 family members, which included:
- 542 female victims and 50 female family members
- 51 male victims and 6 male family members
- 103 LGBT victims
- 134 children and young people
- 68 people with learning difficulties
- 64 ethnic minority victims
A successful multi-media campaign, including videos, social media and outdoor advertising, ran across the year to encourage people to refer themselves or contact Survive for advice. As a result, over 14,000 people visited the website for more information.
Commissioned by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office (SCO) with an investment of £300,000 per year for two years, the Survive service is delivered by Staffordshire Women’s Aid. Staffordshire County Council also provided £20,000 per year towards the service and supported the commissioning process.
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.
Staffordshire’s Commissioner for Police, Fire & Crime, Ben Adams said: “Ensuring victims get the specialist support they need to cope and recover from the impact of crime is a key priority in my new Police & Crime Plan.
“The Survive service does just that, placing victims at the heart of the criminal justice process and ensuring they and their loved ones are supported at every stage, in a way that is tailored to their individual circumstances.”
Dickie James, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Women’s Aid, said: “Victims of sexual violence, whether recent or historical, need and deserve a sensitive and timely response, flexible to their individual experiences and needs. Survive works across the communities of Staffordshire to meet these needs through practical and emotional support which is trauma informed.
“I’m very proud we were able to set up and mobilise this vital service in partnership with the SCO, in spite of the challenges of lockdown. As we move forward, it is needed more than ever.”
The Survive service will operate across Staffordshire (not including Stoke-on-Trent) for two years, with an opportunity for a further two 12-month extensions after this.
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.
Find out more and view the Survive campaign video here: Sexual Violence and Abuse – Staffordshire Women’s Aid (staffordshirewomensaid.org)
