Start your journey with us...
Ready to access specialist support? We'll guide you through our referral process and help you understand what happens next. Every journey starts with a single step.
Taking Your First Steps Forward
Deciding to get professional support is an important step. Many survivors share that while they can talk about their experiences, moving forward with recovery can be overwhelming. We recognise the range of emotions you may feel as you think about this next step.
Unsure about what professional support actually involves
Worried about opening up to someone new
Concerned about how therapy might affect daily life
Questioning if you're ready for the recovery journey
Feeling anxious about revisiting past experiences
Feelings of isolation
Beginning Your Recovery Journey
At this stage, many survivors tell us they feel a mix of hope and uncertainty - hope for healing and change, alongside questions about what recovery might look like.
Whether you've recently decided to seek help or have been considering it for a while, understanding what happens next can help you feel more confident moving forward.
Our assessment process helps us understand your needs and create the right support plan together. We'll take time to explain each step, answer your questions, and ensure you feel comfortable with the pace.
Through our Hold Fast programme, you'll learn about trauma responses and develop practical tools for stability. This creates a strong base for your recovery, helping you understand and manage your experiences better.
As you progress, our support adapts to meet your changing needs. You'll be given options to choose from as you become ready for different types of support.
Recovery isn't linear, and that's okay. You control the pace of your journey, with our team beside you to provide guidance and support as you're ready to take each step.
Every journey is unique. We work at your pace and respect your choices.
Initial Contact
A supportive and safe space where you can openly discuss and share your personal experiences without fear of judgment or criticism.
Understanding Options
Explore and learn about the various types of support that are available to individuals seeking assistance, guidance, or resources in different aspects of their lives.
Personalised Support
Explore a variety of access services that are specifically tailored to match your unique needs and preferences.
Our Three-Phased Approach
We work to a 3 phase response to trauma, Dr. Pierre Janet conceived of the phased framework to trauma recovery in the late 1800’s and Dr. Judith Herman made it more readily known in her groundbreaking book, Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence (1992). This is the evidence based model we use to navigate survivors through trauma recovery, but understand that no on size fits all.
Before we can do start to deal with the trauma you experienced, we need to ensure you are safe, have a supportive network and understand the impact of your sexual violence. We will most likely offer you our Hold Fast programme either 1:1 or in a group with other survivors – depending on your preference.
Specialist trauma therapy (also known as Remembrance and Mourning). This will most often take the form of trauma informed therapy or counselling sessions or a recommended group therapy programme.
Focus on rebuilding and strengthening. This may take place through alternative therapies, other activities, peer support or through referrals to other organisations.
Survivor Resources & Research
Learning from other survivors journeys can be a powerful tool, and make you feel much less alone. Access specialist articles, survivor stories, and evidence-based research about childhood sexual violence recovery and support.
Articles and guides covering trauma responses, recovery stages, and practical support strategies for survivors of childhood sexual violence.
A curated collection of poems written by survivors of sexual abuse, sharing personal experiences of trauma, healing, and recovery. *Please note that whilst this content is moderated you may find some of it triggering so please take care*
Key findings from our research , revealing crucial insights into sexual violence and abuse, how survivors access support services, costs to the NHS and survivor experiences, and more
With your support, we can help more survivors access the support they need when they need it. Every donation directly funds our work to supporting those affected by sexual violence.
