Darlington and Co. Durham Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre seeking to strengthen support with dedicated groups

Darlington and Co. Durham Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC), the specialist sexual violence charity, is seeking views from survivors on how it can strengthen its support. Currently RSACC runs a Peer Support Group where sexual violence survivors share, learn and gain strength and support from each other. However, it is aware that other survivors may wish to meet – either in person or online – and receive support based on a number of common factors.

It is therefore launching an online survey to help assess how they can best care for survivors through the creation of new support groups.

Jemma Leigh Lyon, RSACC’s  Group Coordinator commented:

“The impact and trauma of sexual violence affects survivors in many different ways and the support they need is also varied. Through our work and experience we are aware that some survivors would also like the opportunity to gain support in specialist groups, often centred around a common factor – this could be age, so groups dedicated to younger or older survivors or based on sexuality – such as for the LGBTQ community.”

“We are therefore asking that sexual violence survivors in Darlington and Co. Durham, who are seeking this type of support, respond to our survey so that we can better understand the groups they would like us to provide.”

Survivors who are interested can share their views to RSACC, by going to: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/M87NXBX

RSACC provides a range of other services for sexual violence survivors, from an Emotional Support Line open 10am-1pm and 6.30pm-9pm Tuesdays and 10am-1pm Thursdays on 0300 222 5730 to specialist counselling and an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service. For more information on our support go to www.RSACC-thecentre.org.uk

For more information on the survey, please contact Karen Leech on 07399 855998.