The Home Office are conducting a survey as part of their Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy. This is a public survey for survivors, their families and professionals working in the sector. If you have experience of, or views on rape, sexual abuse and violence against women and girls, you can complete the survey on the GOV.UK website.

A separate survey specifically aimed at survivors of VAWG is also planned and this will be distributed through specialist support services. However, survivors may complete this public survey as well, should they wish to.

Please note: Some of the questions within the survey may have a personal impact on you.

The Diocese of Guildford is currently reviewing all records, across 162 parishes, to ensure that all safeguarding concerns and allegations have been identified, reported, and appropriately actioned. Crucial to the review, are voices of survivors and victims. The Diocese of Guildford wants to listen to, and to learn from, real experiences to ensure voices of those affected are heard throughout.

The Diocese recognise that coming forward may be extremely difficult, and dedicated support has been set up to help with this. Two confidential listening services have been established for those who have experienced church-related abuse, but may want to talk through their experiences and feelings before taking any further steps.

Bishop Andrew, Diocesan Bishop for the Diocese of Guildford said:

“It is important we do everything we can to make our churches the safest places they can be. This review will help to ensure that concerns reported to our churches have been dealt with properly, and care taken and support given is of the highest quality, that people rightly deserve. 

“We have learnt from a previous review that that survivors and victims’ voices are critical, and I would urge you to come forward.”

For those wanting to give information relating to church-related abuse, please contact Jackie Broadfoot, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, on: jackie.broadfoot@cofeguildford.org.uk  or 07918 559387.

Healthwatch Surrey are after residents views on local health and social care services in your area.

Healthwatch Surrey have a statutory duty to listen to local people’s views on their health and social care services and to share these views with decision-makers.

To have your say in your own words, visit the Healthwatch Surrey website.

We are delighted to announce that our Helpline will reopen from Tuesday 14th July 2020

The Helpline has been closed since we went into lockdown. From 14th July the Helpline will reopen on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. We are keeping our opening times under review and will update the website when we are able to offer our full service from Monday – Thursday evening.

Please see below for links for support from other agencies which you may find helpful:

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/blog/health-and-other-forms-of-anxiety-and-coronavirus/

Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus outbreak and in line with Government advice our Helpline is currently closed until further notice.

If you need to talk to someone then please call Samaritan on  116 123 or the Mental Health Crisis Helpline on 0800 915 4644.

If you have an emergency please call the police on 999.

We will be updating our website regularly with information on our services. Please visit www.rasasc.org

Thank you

We are sorry to say that due to the Coronavirus outbreak and in line with Government advice our office is currently closed until further notice.

If your enquiry is urgent the best method to contact us is by emailing us at admin@rasasc-guildford.org. This email address will be monitored throughout the day.

Alternatively you can leave a brief message on 07718 424577, however please be aware that this phone is only occasionally checked.

We will be updating our website regularly with information on our services. Please visit www.rasasc.org

Thank you

The woman, who was sexually abused by her stepfather from the ages of 4 to 17, had previously been denied Criminal Injuries Compensation because the abuse took place before 1979 and she had lived with her abuser at the time.

The recent landmark ruling (24th of July) means sexual abuse survivors in a similar situation will no longer be denied Criminal Injuries Compensation on this basis.

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/news/latest-news/landmark-victory-for-sexual-abuse-survivor-denied-compensation-under-discriminatory-same-roof-rule/