In light of the recent increase in coverage on sexual abuse – highlighted through abuse of young footballers, in schools, and coverage of the Sarah Everard case – The Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) can offer help and support to anyone aged over 13 in Surrey who has been affected by rape or sexual abuse.

RASASC work across Surrey, supporting both male and female survivors of rape and sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, through a counselling service, a national helpline and a team of seven Independent Sexual Violence Advisors.

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (or ISVAs), support survivors through practical and emotional advice, to help them make informed choices. ISVAs can offer support such as: providing information on the legal process, making GP appointments, attending court, liaising with the police and other services and discussing and explaining available options.

A counselling service is available for young people aged 13 – 17, as well as a family counselling service, to enable family and friends to learn how to best support the survivor and begin to understand and process their own feelings.

Our free, confidential helpline operates four evenings a week, from Monday – Thursday (excluding bank holidays) from 7.30pm – 9.30pm, on 01483 546400. Specially trained advisors can offer support and advice, signpost to services, or just listen if the caller needs someone to talk to.

RASASC Chief Executive Officer, Lesley Devonport said:

“We can offer support to survivors in a number of ways, helping them to make informed choices, in order to begin regaining control over their lives.

“Recently, we have seen a huge increase in coverage around sexual abuse, and we know this will have been very traumatic for survivors, whether they have previously sought help or not. I would urge survivors to reach out to support services if they are able to, we are here for you, and we believe you.”

All RASASC services are non-judgemental, and survivors are very much in control of all decisions involving how they would like to proceed with their individual case. In the case of a referral from a young person (aged between 13-17 years), we do have a duty of care to notify Children’s Services that we are supporting that individual with a sexual abuse allegation.

For more information on all of our services and how to get in touch, visit our Get support page on our website.

You can also follow us on Facebook at: RASASC Guildford or Twitter: @HelpRASASC.

Our helpline will be closed on bank holiday Monday, 5 April, but helpline support is available from:

The Survivors Trust on 0808 801 0818 open from 10am – 1pm

Rape Crisis South London on 0808 802 9999 open from 12pm-2:30pm and 7pm – 9.30pm

The RASASC helpline will be open as normal from Tuesday, 6 April on 01483 546400, between 7.30pm to 9.30pm

A mother and son team are taking on the Vitality Big Half on Sunday, 22 August for RASASC.

Sharon and Callum Hodgson from Banstead are taking on the challenge for the charity, which supports survivors of rape and sexual abuse across Surrey.

Having run three marathons for charity in the past, mum Sharon took a break from the sport for a couple of years, but is now returning to running by taking on the challenge of the Vitality Big Half. For 21-year-old Callum, a sports and exercise science student, this will be his first half marathon.

Sharon said:

“I’m really chuffed that Callum and I are going to run the Vitality Big Half together. After a few years off, I think I’m going to be focusing on just getting round!

“We want to raise awareness of RASASC and the great work they do, there’s a shame and embarrassment that exists around rape and sexual abuse, and organisations like RASASC are vital in supporting people to help them start to rebuild their lives.”

RASASC support both male and female survivors of rape and sexual abuse over the age of 13 in the Surrey area, through counselling, a helpline service and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs). ISVAs offer both practical and emotional support to survivors to help them begin to overcome the abuse they have suffered.

To find out more about who we are and what we do, visit our website.

You can sponsor Sharon and Callum’s fantastic efforts by visiting their Virgin Money Giving page.

Our free and confidential helpline is now also open on Thursdays.

Survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their families, can call us each Monday – Thursday evening between 7.30pm – 9.30pm for information, emotional advice and support.

Our specially trained advisors can help callers make informed decisions to help them on their recovery journey, including signposting to other services such as the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).

For more information on our helpline service, visit our website.

If you need to talk, we’re here to listen.

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