Where child abuse victims go to heal (From The Argus)

Where child abuse victims go to heal

5:41pm Thursday 8th March 2007 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

Recent figures estimate at least one in three females will have survived some form of sexual abuse before reaching the age of 18.

Survivors' Network was set up in 1990 to support women who had been sexually abused in childhood and were now facing the long-term consequences of that abuse.

For many survivors the long-term effects of sexual abuse are devastating.

Those who have experienced childhood sexual abuse are traumatised and their psychological and/or physical health affected.

Most of our service users suffer low self-esteem, which is rooted in feelings of shame, guilt and selfblame.

A significant percentage of the population suffering with mental health issues have been sexually abused in childhood.

Alcohol and substance misuse is often a vain attempt to run away from the terrible consequences of childhood sexual abuse.

Other symptoms such as eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, self-harm, suicide and other self-destructive behaviour cover up the secret of sexual abuse.

By using Survivors' Network services, women report feeling empowered and better able to support themselves. The more they heal from the trauma of their childhood abuse, the healthier and more active they become, less singular and more able to become involved in their community.

Specifically, service users report a reduced sense of isolation, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal feelings, suicide attempts, eating disorders, alcohol and substance misuse and self-harming behaviour such as cutting and burning.

All Survivors' Network services are completely confidential.

To ensure we are meeting the needs of the women using our services we ask that they complete anonymous service user feedback forms. Survivors have credited us with their coming to terms with sexual abuse and breaking free of the shame they have associated with it.

The services we offer include a confidential helpline and information service, a drop-in service, facilitated therapeutic support groups and a newsletter including articles by and for survivors. Our figures for 2005-06 show an increase of 38 per cent in the number of people using our drop-in service and an increase of 73 per cent of people using our helpline.

Survivors' Network is the only local organisation, statutory or non-statutory, dealing exclusively with women who have been sexually abused in childhood.

Due to rising numbers of women using our services, Survivors' Network has extended the opening hours of its helpline and drop-in services to meet the identified needs of those service users.

Unfortunately, Survivors' Network continually struggles to secure funding. It costs under £6,000 per month to operate all services.

This organisation is too important to close, and the services offered are too important to too many women.

As well as providing services to women survivors, the organisation is committed to raising the awareness of individuals, professionals and the wider community to issues of childhood sexual abuse as a way of contributing to the prevention of current and future sexual abuse.

Working for Survivors' Network for nearly nine years has been challenging yet immensely rewarding.

We deal with a lot of pain and desperation.

We hear first-hand some of the most horrific and cruel acts carried out on children.

However, the women, mostly volunteers, who work at our services are among the most dedicated, compassionate women I have met.

And as for the women who use our services, it is a privilege to be a part of their healing, to support them and, ultimately, empower them to make positive changes in their lives.

These women are the most courageous women you will come across.

They have to be to have survived what they have.

Survivors' Network has more than 15 years' experience working with survivors of sexual abuse.

We understand the courage it takes to heal, to break the silence, despite the stigma still attached to sexual abuse.

Call us on 01273 203380, email staff@survivors-network.com or visit www.survivors-network.co.uk.