Support for survivors
The litigation process can be a form of closure for victims of abuse, but the process itself can bring back sad and painful memories which may have been locked away for years and years. Many abuse victims find the litigation process therapeutic in itself, but we always try to refer to a counselling service if an individual is finding it particularly difficult. Support is out there and there are a range of support networks and places that we would recommend.
A GP can make a referral to an NHS funded counselling agency but there tends to be a waiting list and the resources are rationed. This tends to be Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ('CBT') and limited to 12 sessions.
Locally within Cambridgeshire there is Choices Counselling – A local counselling service which is located on Alex Wood Hall, Norfolk Street, Cambridge. Choices specialise in providing support to victims of childhood abuse. Whilst based in Cambridge, the service has Outreach Centres in Ely, Newmarket, St Neots, Huntingdon and Warboys. It is a free service which relies on specially trained volunteers and funding.
Call them on 01223 358149.
The Samaritans are a charity who offer support to those who are distress. They have drop in centres across the country and also have a helpline.
Call them on 116 123 for free.
The Truth Project was part of the government inquiry into child sexual abuse. It gave victims and survivors of abuse the opportunity to talk about their experiences and put forward their suggestions for change. The Project concluded in October 2021 but there are a wealth of resources and support available still available.
https://www.iicsa.org.uk/victims-and-survivors/truth-project
Nationally there is NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood).
You can call them for free on
0808 801 0331.
The DABS (Directory and Book Service) is a useful resource for victims of abuse and sexual violence. Its directory gives over 500 organisations and charities who are able to provide various types of support to survivors.
If you would like your organisation to feature on this page, please Contact us.
Survivor's poems
Some of our clients find that poetry can be a valuable part of the healing process. It can be a creative way for someone to express their inner emotions, and also helps the reader to understand what the writer is experiencing in difficult times.
We encourage our clients to put pen to paper as a way of ventilating powerful feelings and to alleviate stress.
If you are survivor and would like to make a contribution to the survivors’ poetry page, please contact us. You can choose to publish under a pseudonym if you wish.