Survive Sexual Assault & Abuse Service

Have you, or someone you care about, experienced sexual assault or abuse?
You are not alone – our confidential services are here to support you.

24 HOUR CONFIDENTIAL HELPLINE 0300 330 5959

What is sexual assault or abuse?

Sexual assault or abuse is any unwanted sexual act or activity. Sexual assault or abuse can happen to anyone. No-one ever deserves or asks for it to happen – it is never your fault.

There are many different types of sexual assault or abuse, including:

Rape, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, rape within marriage or relationships, forced marriage, so-called honour-based violence, female genital mutilation, trafficking, sexual exploitation and ritual abuse.

Sexual assault or abuse can be perpetrated by a stranger, or by someone known and even trusted, like a friend, colleague, family member, partner or ex-partner.

Survive

Survive offers a free, non-judgmental and confidential service for adults, children over the age of 4, and close family members/significant others who have been affected by sexual assault or abuse at any point during their lives. Our service is independent from the Police and Social Services – our role is to support you.  We aim to contact all referrals to the ISVA service within 48 hours.

Our services include:
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.

An ISVA/CHISVA will:

• support you to have your voice heard

• help you feel empowered to make choices that feel right for you

• accompany you to important appointments and court, if that is what you want

You do not have to have reported an incident to the police to access the ISVA/CHISVA Service.

Support for Family Members and Significant Others

This service provides practical and emotional support to people who have been impacted by any form of sexual abuse against a close family member or significant other. 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.

Counselling

Our team of qualified counsellors provide therapeutic counselling, for both adults and children over the age of 4, who have experienced sexual assault and abuse at any point during their lives. Counselling enables you to acknowledge your experiences and express your feelings in a safe and supported environment.

Counsellors at Staffordshire Survive are all qualified to diploma level or above and receive regular clinical supervision to ensure that they work safely and to the highest possible standards. We can provide male and female counsellors upon request. In addition, a counsellor from the LGBTQIA+ community is available upon request for adult clients.

We’re here to help

We understand how difficult it is to take the first step, but when you feel ready, we are here to help. We will not put any pressure on you to make decisions or take any action you’re not comfortable with. If you would like to talk to someone about accessing our support call our 24-hour helpline on 0300 330 5959 or email referrals@staffordshirewomensaid.org for more information.

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Survive is funded by

“I needed help with support as a survivor of child sex abuse and depression. Knowing you have a 24 hour helpline when you are struggling and rock bottom has been a saviour to me.”

“My support worker has such a calming soothing approach and made me feel very comfortable and relaxed which helped me open up to enable me to move forward in life.”

“Highly recommend this service to anyone in need, you have been amazing, thank you.”

“My support worker and the solicitor they put me in touch with were very helpful and have helped me in getting my life back on track and rebuilding my confidence and self-esteem.”

“The service is very important to victims/survivors as it provides a non-judgemental listening ear and someone you can trust. It helps victims to believe in themselves and to acknowledge that the abuse is not their fault.”

“I needed help to access advice and support on how to survive my ongoing domestic violence and how to prepare to end the relationship, what I would need to take with me if I were to flee the house and where I could get further assistance from.  After years of domestic abuse I have finally plucked up the courage and left my abusive husband. It has been a very difficult process but my support worker has been there for me through every stage of the process.”

“You have been an amazing source of help to me. Thank you for all the work you do, you really do make a difference to people’s lives.”

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