Sex violence clinic a first for victims
Project started by rape survivor is being launched in Scotland
A CLINIC that will offer specialised healthcare for rape victims is being opened in Glasgow.
The My Body Back project, which is the first of its kind in Scotland, will be based at the city’s Sandyford Clinic and assist women from across the west of Scotland.
Services will include providing smear tests in a supportive environment and helping victims to deal with body image problems.
The clinic is a collaboration between London-based charity My Body Back, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the West of Scotland Managed Clinical Network for Sexual Health, Rape Crisis Scotland and Rape Crisis Glasgow and Clyde.
Pavan Amara, who started the charity in 2015, said: “I was raped myself and found there were no services for how awful being raped left me feeling about my physicality.
“There was a lot of emotional support but zero support that recognised how being raped had hugely affected my body image.
“I started the project after interviewing 30 other women about how rape had left them feeling about their bodies.
“All 30 said they had problems with enjoying sex again, problems with body image, and big problems accessing healthcare as they didn’t want to be touched by a stranger such as a health professional.”
Dr Pauline McGough, from West of Scotland Managed Clinical Network for Sexual Health, said: “When one of our clinicians first highlighted My Body Back, we knew that this was a groundbreaking service who we wanted to work with.
“Women will be able to access a service that is tailored to their needs and specific concerns.”
Rape Crisis Scotland’s Sandie Barton added: “We know from women that sexual violence can create barriers to getting the care and health services they need. Addressing this directly can have positive
Being raped had hugely affected my body image
PAVAN AMARA
outcomes not only for their immediate health needs but for wider recovery and wellbeing.”
The clinic will be available on the second Saturday of every month.
It will be staffed by NHS doctors, nurses, counsellors and Rape Crisis volunteers. Funding has been provided by the Voluntary Action Fund.