Sexual assault survivors face three-month wait for help from counsellors
...AND THAT’S AT REFERRAL CENTRE TREATING THE VICTIMS OF BRITAIN’S WORST RAPIST
SURVIVORS of sexual assault may have to wait for around three months for counselling at a centre which is treating the victims of Britain’s worst rapist Reynhard Sinaga.
And people seeking support at St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) could face an extra sixmonth wait for a follow-up session after an initial face-to-face with a counsellor.
But the hospital trust that runs St Mary’s said they can offer an ‘urgent counselling’ start based on an assessment of a client’s needs, including their risk of suicide and the impact of the criminal justice system.
The centre is a recommended support service for victims of serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga, who was found guilty of luring 48 men to his Manchester flat, where he drugged, sexually assaulted and raped them.
Greater Manchester Police believe he targeted at least 190 victims, many of whom may not have known they had been attacked until news of his conviction made his crimes public.
GMP say they have received ‘numerous’ calls to a dedicated hotline since Sinaga was unmasked, and are directing potential victims to contact St Mary’s, and Survivors Manchester which supports male rape victims.
A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs St Mary’s SARC, said the centre worked with the charity to provide sexual violence support, advice and counselling during the course of the Operation Island police investigation.
They said that currently they offer a one-off session ‘as soon as possible’ after a request for counselling is made at the centre, based at the Old St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.
“This is a comprehensive session in which presenting issues and goals of counselling are explored, a risk assessment is undertaken and a number of immediate coping strategies are provided to the client,” the spokesperson said.
“The wait for this initial session is currently around three months, although we are working hard to reduce this and all clients can contact SARC at any time for support.”
Following on from the initial session, there is currently an average wait of around six months for a second session.
But the spokesperson said: “Any client accessing counselling at St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre may be offered an urgent counselling start based on an holistic assessment of their individual clinical needs. To assess this need, we look at immediate risk of self-harm or suicide, the impact of the criminal justice system, difficulty staying in work or education, and increased isolation.
“The need for a priority start may be identified at the initial session or at any point while the client is waiting for ongoing counselling.
“We recognise that clients’ needs may change and we aim to be responsive to those needs.
“This individualised approach is the same for each client accessing counselling at St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre and has been our standard procedure for many years.
“During the course of the Operation Island police investigation, St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre has worked with Survivors Manchester to provide independent sexual violence support, advice and counselling.”