The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Wait of seven months for specialist therapy
Rape crisis charity appealing to public to donate or raise funds to help support survivors of sexual violence
Survivors of sexual violence in Tayside must wait months for specialist support and therapy, a rape crisis charity has revealed.
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Clinic (RASAC) highlighted harrowing waiting times, as it turned to the public for support.
The Perth-based branch, which has 55 survivors on its waiting list, has seen a surge in referrals. There were 163 people referred to the frontline service from April 2018 to May this year, a rise of 41%.
The group is backing a national crowdfunding campaign to secure extra financial help.
The 16 Pounds for 16 Days campaign calls on the public to donate or raise funds. All money goes to supporting survivors of sexual violence through crisis centres and a national helpline.
Jen Stewart, centre manager at RASAC Perth and Kinross said: “Having to tell survivors about a potential waiting time of seven months minimum is incredibly difficult.”
“We believe survivors should have access to the services they need at the time they seek it.
JEN STEWART
“Contacting us is often a difficult step to take and we believe survivors should have access to the services they need at the time they seek it.
“We’re reaching out to our local community, asking people to give what they can in support of rape crisis centres, and in support of survivors living locally.”
The situation is similarly stark in Fife, where the Fife Rape and Sexual Abuse Clinic (FRASAC) has seen a hugely challenging year.
The group was previously forced to close temporarily in December 2017 as a result of the waiting list, although additional funding was sourced which allowed it to employ extra support staff.
The number of referrals has continued to rise, with 73 people waiting to access support and a further 13 yet to have a first assessment.
Mairi Mcallister, assistant manager at FRASAC, said: “Because of the extra support workers, time on the list has dropped to an average of four to five months but this is still far too long.”
Dundee’s branch of RASAC is facing similar issues, with 83 women on the waiting list for one-to-one therapeutic support and an average waiting time of nine months for the service.
Centre manager Heather Williams said: “We are looking at how we deliver our therapeutic support services...as survivors have told us about the impact waiting for support has on them.”
Sandy Brindley, CEO of Rape Crisis Scotland, said: “We are asking for the public to get involved with 16 Pounds for 16 Days and donate to support survivors of sexual violence.”