Expert guide helping survivors of sexual violence in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
A ‘life-changing’ online sexual violence help booklet created in Nottinghamshire has been expanded for use across the county of Derbyshire.
‘Your Journey - Sexual violence – a survivor’s guide to support and reporting’ allows survivors of sexual violence to access help and support quickly should they need it.
The booklet contains advice and information about the different types of support available for survivors, such as guidance to help in making key personal decisions, and how an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) can provide support, alongside what to expect during an investigation and a court appearance.
There is also a section on how to access support services if a report hasn’t been made to the police alongside a comprehensive list of support agencies offering help and advice to all survivors.
The original booklet was made possible thanks to funding by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, and was created by the Nottinghamshire Consent Coalition - a group of both statutory and voluntary organisations working together to raise awareness of consent and to reduce sexual violence.
Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden, who has made tackling violence against women and girls one of the key pillars in his police and crime plan, said: “The Your Journey booklet is a fantastic resource to support survivors of sexual violence and has been well used in Nottinghamshire for a number of years, after being created by the Nottinghamshire Consent Coalition with PCC funding.
“It is great to see it being expanded into Derbyshire and I know it will be a valuable asset that will support many more people to seek justice and to recover from the trauma of sexual violence.”
The move to adapt the booklet for use in another county follows research undertaken by Derbyshire OPCC last year which amassed the ‘lived experiences’ of survivors of sexual abuse to identify improvements needed in their care.
These insights not only highlighted the immense and devastating impact of these crimes on the lives of survivors but also revealed common barriers to accessing help including not knowing where to look for support and the fact that some services are not visible enough.
Survivors described support services as ‘life changing’ in the research, highlighting the importance of survivors being able to access the services they need easily.
As a result, ‘Your Journey’ is designed to help survivors access the information they need quickly and easily – and in one place.
‘Your Journey’, which is available electronically and can be printed off as a resource for both survivors and professionals, has been structured to be transparent and reassuring at every step of a survivor’s path to justice and recovery.
Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: “Survivors of sexual abuse carry emotional scars for life, and it is vital professional help is accessed at the earliest opportunity to initiate the healing process.
“The wellbeing and recovery of survivors of sexual violence and indeed all victims of crime is a priority for me. This new resource reassures survivors that they are not alone, and that help from compassionate and experienced practitioners is within reach. Importantly, it also walks them through the steps to accessing that help and how to report what they have experienced to police if it is their wish.
“I am immensely grateful to the Nottinghamshire Consent Coalition for their approval in creating this Derbyshire-specific resource and for all those who played a role in developing it. I also applaud the courageous survivors who shared their experiences as part of the OPCC’s research. These insights are helping us to make improvements that will benefit survivors both now and in the future.”
Louise Graham, Nottinghamshire Consent Coalition Manager, said “At the Consent Coalition, we understand the importance of giving sexual violence survivors the choice and control over their own journey.
“The ‘Your Journey’ booklet was designed to answer questions about support and reporting, providing reassurance to survivors that they are not alone and that we are here to help.
“The Consent Coalition is thrilled to work with our partners in Derbyshire to create a localised ‘Your Journey’ booklet. Survivors are at the heart of our work, and we champion the importance of supporting them everywhere”