Sexual abuse
If you have been a victim of are concerned about sexual abuse then below are some support services that you can turn to.
Visit Gloucestershire - First Light
Independent Sexual Violence Advisory (ISVA) Service
Our Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) support people who have experienced a recent or historic rape, or serious sexual assault and have reported it to the Police. They will support you on your journey through the criminal justice system. If an offence has not yet been reported, we can also offer support to look at the options available to you.
Visit: Our services | Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre
Specialist Support
Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Assault Centre (GRASAC) will provide a personalised Pathway of trauma stabilisation and recovery services, offering help in understanding our responses to trauma and using psychoeducation to help prepare people for their support journey. This includes up to 12 weeks of Specialist Support work at GRASAC, along with access to group work and activities, with further support offered by our online Waiting Well service. The support is available to all via self-referral. Everyone will have an assessment with a trained worker to identify the most appropriate support route for them.
Counselling
A new service supporting trauma recovery will be provided by Gloucestershire Counselling Service (GCS) in partnership with GRASAC, offering 12 sessions of specialised counselling including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy. This provides an opportunity for clients to access a range of free services tailored to their needs and introduces a new support Pathway for Gloucestershire.
Waiting Well
GRASAC will provide a personalised Pathway of trauma stabilisation and recovery services, offering help in understanding our responses to trauma and using psychoeducation to help prepare people for their support journey.
Part of this pathway is our "Waiting Well" offer which includes access to group work and activities. Our Trauma Stabilisation groups are self-led or facilitated by our team with both options delivered online.
Tel: 01452 305421
Visit www.hopehouse.nhs.uk/sexual-assault
If you, or someone you know, has been the victim of sexual assault or rape, the centre can provide:
- Understanding and emotional support
- Confidential treatment & first aid/medical care
- Emergency contraception if necessary
- Information on other agencies who will be able to help
- A change of clothing
- Access to the Police to gather evidence and investigate your assault
- Help you report the incident to the police (only if you wish to do so)
Tel: 01452 754390
Rape Crisis England & Wales is a national charity and the umbrella body for our network of independent member Rape Crisis Centres. Their website provides information on how to get help if you’ve experienced rape, child sexual abuse and/or any kind of sexual violence, and details of your nearest Rape Crisis services; information for friends, partners, family and other people supporting a sexual violence survivor; information about sexual violence for survivors, students, journalists and others; more about our work, our members and how you can support us.
The 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line is a free phone and online chat service, run by Rape Crisis England and Wales, funded by UK Government, for anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales who has experienced something sexual that they didn’t consent to or are feeling confused about.
The Support Line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Specialist staff are there to listen, answer questions and offer emotional support.
Tel: 0808 500 2222