Survivors impacted by sexual violence receive lifechanging support thanks to PCC funded projects

More than 120 survivors of sexual violence have received life changing support thanks to two specialist projects funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen.

The County Durham and Darlington PCC provided a grant worth £10,414 to the county’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre’s (RSACC) Keystone Project which provides one-to-one support to parents and carers of children who have experienced sexual abuse in the county.

The unique service provides a safe space for parents and carers to explore their emotional response to what has happened to their child, as well as offering the opportunity to learn about trauma responses and coping strategies and look at resources that may help to support their child.

Parents have benefitted from one-to-one sessions and group therapy and RSACC is hoping to support an additional 12 parents across the existing two groups during the summer holidays.

A previous participant in the Keystone Project said: “I would just like to say I have really enjoyed my experience here. I have been taught various coping strategies to use to try and help manage my thoughts and emotions.

“I still have my moments of feeling overwhelmed by everything and consumed by guilt, but I am slowly getting there.I just have to remember it is a process that takes constant work.”

Kate Larkin, Support, Prevention &Volunteering Manager, said: “We are hugely grateful to Durham PCC for providing the funding for our Keystone Project, enabling us to support parents and carers at an exceptionally difficult time in their lives.

“All the parents and carers who’ve attended so far are supporting children who have been sexually abused, assaulted or groomed. Thanks to this funding we’ve been able to help them feel less alone, while supporting them with coping strategies and resources to help both themselves and their children. This vital work is so beneficial to families in our community and will continue to make a huge difference to the families we work with well into the future.”

Addressing sexual violence is a key priority in the Commissioner’s new Police, Crime and Justice Plan, and she remains committed to providing effective support to all victims and witnesses of crime to aid recovery.

Joy Allen said: “Sexual violence shatters lives. It is paramount we support survivors and their families as they navigate the complex and debilitating emotional pain caused by these offences.

“Victims of crime especially those of high harm offences such as sexual violence are at the heart of everything I do as Commissioner. We are pioneering both new investigative approaches and enhanced recovery and support for victims that will build confidence among future survivors and ensure more perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes in the courts.

“I am grateful to our partners for supporting this mission, and to victims themselves for their courage in sharing their experiences to help us learn, understand and improve what we do. These new services have been borne out of the feedback we have received directly from victims of sexual violence, and we are always ready to listen.

“I can assure all survivors that we are working hard to deliver more services that meet their needs in the way they want.”

In a further project, the PCC provided £14,782 for RSACC’s Trauma-Informed Peer Groups.

These specialist groups are free of charge and run for 10 weeks. They enable survivors of sexual violence to access safe and confidential space to talk about their thoughts and feelings without judgement. Attendees explore their shared experiences and learn about the impact of trauma responses and rape myths.

Within these specialist groups, survivors of sexual violence access a safe and confidential space to talk about their thoughts and feelings, without being judged. They explore their shared experiences and learn about the impact of trauma responses and rape myths,which can feed into feelings of self-blame.

A former attendee of the support group said: “I have found self-confidence since attending the group, I was frightened of my own shadow when I first joined and now I've finally found my voice and feel able to speak up for myself.

“All the educational stuff was brilliant, I learned so much. It was absolutely unbelievable to learn that after years of blaming myself, it was never my fault! I only wish I had done the group sooner so I could have shed the self-blame earlier.”

Kate Larkin said: “We are so pleased that our Trauma Informed Peer Support Groups have been able to empower and support so many survivors on their healing journeys.

“Each 10-week long programme has given those who’ve attended the chance to learn from others’ experiences, as much as from their own. They’ve provided an opportunity to learn about normal reactions to trauma while strengthening each individual’s self-esteem and resilience. Our huge thanks go to Durham PCC for enabling this vital service to continue for survivors of sexual violence in our community.”

Ends

Picture Shows (L-R):  Hailey Tinson, OPCC Policy Lead for VAWG and Isabel Owens, RSACC.

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