Support for sex abuse victims

A FREE service to support victims of sexual assault and abuse – and their family members and partners – has helped more than 650 people.

The Survive Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Service provides a non-judgmental, confidential service for adults, both male and female, children over the age of four, and close family members and significant others who have been affected by sexual assault or abuse at any point during their lives.

Victims can seek support whether they report the crime to the police or not.

Since it was established in November 2020, Survive has supported 597 victims and 56 family members, which includes 542 female victims and 50 female family members, 51 male victims and six male family members, 103 LGBT+ victims, 134 children and young people, 68 people with learning difficulties and 64 ethnic minority victims.

Commissioned by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office (SCO) with an investment of £300,000 per year for two years, the Survive service is delivered by Staffordshire Women’s

Aid. Staffordshire County Council also provided £20,000 per year towards the service and supported the commissioning process.

Ben Adams, Staffordshire’s Commissioner for Police, Fire and Crime, said: “Ensuring victims get the specialist support they need to cope and recover from the impact of crime is a key priority in my new Police and Crime Plan.

“The Survive service does just that, placing victims at the heart of the criminal justice process and ensuring they and their loved ones are supported at every stage, in a way that is tailored to their individual circumstances.”

You can call the 24-hour helpline on 0300 330

5959 or email survive@ staffordshirewomensaid.org if you would like to talk to someone about accessing the Survive service, or make a referral.