Victims Commissioner Dame Vera Baird released a review last week into the current provision of special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witness in the court system. Currently, some victims, including those of the most serious sexual offences such as rape, are at risk of coming face-to-face with defendants because courts are not set up to deliver the protections the law provides for them while giving evidence.

The review highlights the insufficient use of special measures in our courts, and the inadequacies in access to these measures.

Recommendations in the report include the use of early-stage video interviews and cross examination for witnesses to help avoid distressing court delays for survivors.

Dame Vera said: 

“I am calling for all victims of sexual crimes to be allowed to give evidence and be cross-examined by video, at an early stage while their memory is fresh. Then they are free to take therapy if they need it and to get on with their lives since the video evidence would be their evidence in court.

“With some crimes from last year unlikely to reach court before 2022 or later, this could spare thousands of potentially traumatised victims a long and anxious wait.”

To read more and to access the full report, visit the Victims Commissioner website.

1-7 June is Volunteers Week, and this year’s theme is ‘a time to say thanks.’

At RASASC, we’d like to take the time to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all of our volunteers for the fantastic work they do across our organisation.

We’d especially like to thank our volunteers for adapting quickly to the challenge of working remotely throughout the coronavirus pandemic, enabling us to continue offering all of our services to survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their families across Surrey.

Did you know:

• We have 30 specially – trained volunteers that staff our free and confidential helpline, four nights a week, for survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their families.

• We have a team of 29 volunteer counsellors, supporting adults, families and young people with their counselling needs.

• Our six trustees all volunteer their time, skills and experience to ensure we are governed to a high standard.

• We also have volunteers that help out at events, rattle collection boxes, man stands, campaign for us, raise awareness and advocate for RASASC.

We couldn’t reach as many people as we do without the support of our brilliant volunteers, so thank you, to each and every one of you.

To get involved volunteering for RASASC, visit our volunteer page.

Calling all runners! Have you ever fancied running a half marathon, or virtually running the London Marathon? Could you join #TeamRASASC and help support survivors of rape and sexual abuse across Surrey?

We’re looking for special people to take on both the Vitality Big Half and the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon.

The virtual Virgin Money London Marathon takes place on Sunday, 3rd October, the same date as the physical event. By running in the virtual event, you will also receive a coveted official finishers medal. RASASC have four spaces that need filling, and all we ask is you raise £150 towards our vital work. Visit our website to find out more.

If a marathon is too much, we are still looking for one special runner to run for us in the Vitality Big Half on Sunday 22 August. Could this be the challenge for you? Visit our news page for more details.

Sign up to join #TeamRASASC and help make a real difference to the lives of survivors of rape and sexual abuse.

We’re delighted that the Domestic Abuse Bill has been passed by both Houses of Parliament, and signed into law on 29 April 2021.

The Domestic Abuse Act will help to provide further protection to victims of domestic abuse, as well as strengthen measures to tackle perpetrators. Factsheets on each of the new measures within the bill are available on GOV.UK.

How will the new Domestic Abuse Act support victims?

• By ensuring a statutory definition, to emphasise that domestic abuse is not only physical violence, but also emotional, coercive, controlling, and economic abuse. Children are also explicitly recognised as victims by seeing, hearing or otherwise experiencing the effects of abuse.
• By creating a new offence of non-fatal strangulation
• By including the threat to disclose intimate images with the intention to cause distress
• It will clarify the law to further deter claims of ‘rough sex gone wrong’ in cases involving death or serious injury
• The Domestic Abuse Commissioner is to be established in law, to raise public awareness, monitor the response of local authorities, the justice system and other statutory agencies and hold them to account in tackling domestic abuse; and to stand up for victims and survivors
• Local authorities in England will have a duty to provide support to victims of domestic abuse and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation
• It will ensure that when local authorities rehouse victims of domestic abuse, they won’t lose a secure lifetime or assured tenancy
• All eligible homeless victims of domestic abuse will automatically have priority need for homelessness assistance
• It will prohibit GPs and other health professionals from charging a victim of domestic abuse for a letter to support an application for legal aid

How will the Act strengthen measures to tackle perpetrators?

• By prohibiting perpetrators of abuse from cross-examining their victims in person in family and civil courts in England and Wales
• Domestic abuse offenders will be subjected to polygraph testing as a condition of their licence following their release from custody
• It will provide for a new Domestic Abuse Protection Notice and Domestic Abuse Protection Order, to prevent perpetrators from contacting their victims, as well as forcing them to take positive steps to change their behaviour
• By introducing a statutory duty on the Secretary of State to publish a domestic abuse perpetrator strategy (to be published as part of a holistic domestic abuse strategy).

For more information on the Domestic Abuse Bill, visit GOV.UK

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.