More help secured for young survivors of sexual violence.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has secured an additional £40k to provide extra support for children and young people impacted by childhood sexual abuse.

The County Durham and Darlington PCC applied for funding from NHS England to extend the work of the Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) which provides specialist support services to adult survivors of sexual violence and delivers face-to-face, online or telephone-based counselling sessions to young victims of sexual abuse across Darlington and County Durham.

Commissioner Allen said: "Supporting survivors of sexual violence and all victims of crime is a key priority. The trauma these young people have suffered will live with them their whole lives, negatively impacting their mental and physical health and often leaving them feeling ashamed, isolated and disconnected from their peers.

"Waiting for help can have a huge detrimental impact on their wellbeing, education and health which is why I am determined to reduce the time it takes to receive counselling and initiate the recovery journey earlier.

"This funding will enable RSACC to support 70 young people to help them cope and recover from their experiences and reduce the risk of re-victimisation and re-traumatisation in the future. It will offer young people a safe space to explore their trauma and empower them to take positive steps towards recovery to build the life they wish to lead. We owe every victim of sexual violence the chance to put these awful experiences behind them and to look forward to a safe and happy future."

During 2023/24, the project received 30 referrals for counselling for young people aged 17 and under and 91 referrals for people aged 25 and under. Of those who completed monitoring and evaluation forms following counselling, 100% said they received the support they wanted, 100% felt more empowered to make decisions about their future, 75% felt more able to cope with everyday life and 100% said they had improved health and wellbeing.

Child sexual abuse survivors can suffer from a range of traumas from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to Anxiety. These psychological, emotional and physical traumas can impact their relationships with family and friends as well as on their school attendance and educational attainment.

The new funding from the PCC, who commissions the service, will allow RSACC to reduce the current waiting list. It will now be able to support more children and young people and within a quicker time frame than they have previously been able to provide.

The counselling will help to build confidence and self-esteem among survivors, improve their wellbeing, enable them to engage in their community to reduce isolation and develop positive coping strategies. Sessions will include art, craft, music, writing and play, and will be delivered by a qualified and trained counsellor.

RSACC has provided additional training for its designated Children and Young People's Counsellors and sourced a specialist clinical supervisor to these staff to provide support for their safety and wellbeing.

Its services form an essential part of the sexual violence support provision locally.

The organisation works closely with the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, the police and mental health services. RSACC is the only specialist provider of sexual violence support in the county.

You can refer yourself for the ISVA service and/or counselling by calling 01325 354119.

The local, confidential Emotional Support Line is available on 0300 222 5730. The Support Line is staffed by trained women who are there to listen and support.

Opening hours: Tuesday 6.30pm - 8.30pm, Wednesday 10.00am - 12pm & 6.30 - 8.30pm, Thursday 10.00am - 12pm & Saturday 10-12pm

There is also a confidential Emotional Support Email, where you can contact RSACC for support and signposting. You will receive a response in up to 7 days.

Email support@rsacc-thecentre.org.uk.

‍