When someone close to us has experienced sexual violence or abuse, whether it happened a long time ago or more recently, for the affected family it can feel frightening and overwhelming.
As people that care deeply about the pain our loved one is going through, we might feel helpless and worried about doing or saying the wrong thing. This can make what is already a tense and difficult time even more complicated. At Safeline we offer a range of support options for ‘affected others,’ whether they are parents of children and young people, partners, siblings, extended family or friends. We can offer the following services:
Counselling, Psychotherapy and Arts Therapies
Coming to counselling gives you a private and confidential space where you can talk to someone you can trust about your reactions, your thoughts, feelings and experiences.
‘Affected others’ who use our counselling services often say that it has helped them to talk to someone outside the situation, that it gives them a fresh perspective on the situation and gives them time to address their own feelings help ing them to better support the individual who has been abused.
We can provide talking or creative therapies such as art therapy. Face to face services are for people living in Warwickshire and Coventry and we also offer online counseling for adults nationally.
ISVA and ChISVA Service (Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and Children’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor)
This service provides independent practical and emotional support, advocacy, advice and information to adults, children and young people who have suffered sexual violence or abuse at any time in their lives and includes support for family and friends who have been affected and need help to support a victim.
This includes support in navigating the Criminal Justice system if this is the chosen path.
Children and Young People’s Prevention Services – Protecting Children
We know talking about child sexual exploitation for many parents and carers is a daunting task. “My child is too young to understand it,” “I don’t know how to explain it,” “The topic might frighten my child” and “I don’t know enough about the topic.”
Safeline’s parental training interventions and learning resources address these concerns while simultaneously empowering them to act. They provide practical tools, resources, and support for ‘affected others’ so that they increase their knowledge about Child sexual exploitation, can have effective conversations with children about safety, and speak about prevention to others in their community.
Helpline and Online Services
Warwickshire & Coventry Survivors Helpline: Safeline has a local Helpline for adults and children living in Warwickshire and Coventry that provides a safe and confidential space to talk. Trained staff provide emotional support, advice and information. 0808 800 5008
National Male Survivor Helpline and Online Services: Safeline has a dedicated service for adults and children living in England and Wales who identify as male. This service provides emotional support, advice and we can help signpost you to services in your area. Helpline 0808 800 5005, Text Service 07860 065 187, live chat service via our website or Email at support@safeline.org.uk
To access any of Safeline’s services, call our office on: 01926 402 498 or email: office@safeline.org.uk or for ISVA Services ISVA@safeline.org.uk