The NHS has launched a marketing campaign in opposition to sexual violence and is aiming to lift consciousness of its sexual assault referral centres (SARCs).
The brand new marketing campaign marks mark the beginning of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Consciousness Week.
It comes as a brand new survey of greater than 4,000 individuals in England discovered that two in 5 (44 per cent) adults don’t know the place to get assist after being sexually assaulted.
In the meantime, greater than half (56 per cent) of survivors of sexual assault or abuse haven’t sought any assist in any respect, and 72 per cent of individuals are unaware of the NHS’ specialist sexual assault providers.
As a part of the marketing campaign, the NHS has spoken to survivors of sexual violence who’ve been supported by SARCs, which provide confidential medical, sensible and emotional assist to individuals who have not too long ago been raped or sexually assaulted.
In 2015, 28-year-old Laura was spiked on an evening out with pals, in Newcastle. After blacking out for a number of hours, she woke as much as discover she was being sexually assaulted by two males, who she knew.
After the assault, Laura reported the assault to the police and was referred to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, the place she acquired forensic testing and emotional assist.
“I bear in mind the lady on the SARC who helped me was so heat, form and compassionate,” she recalled.
“She defined the entire course of to me calmly and was there to carry my hand throughout one of many worst moments of my life. The employees have been caring however not intrusive, and I felt they gave me area and autonomy over my physique that my attackers had taken away”.
One other survivor, Nicola, who was abused as a baby and sought assist from SARC greater than 30 years later, added: “Whereas I didn’t entry a SARC on the time of my assault, with the ability to use my lived expertise to assist others has been instrumental within the restoration and therapeutic course of.
“I need individuals to know that it doesn’t matter when the assault happened- SARCs are nonetheless there for you. It’s a place the place devoted skilled employees and volunteers are there to ship high-quality care and provides recommendation and assist for rape, sexual assault and abuse victims. They will present a secure and safe place, with out judgement or necessities, and they’ll take heed to you.”
For extra details about SARCs and to search out your nearest one, go to Rape Disaster right here.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
