Spotlight: Survivors' Network helpline

"The helpline is a listening service which is run by trained volunteers, who are supported by me during the shift. Any survivor of sexual violence or abuse can call, no matter their gender, they just need to be over the age of 14.  It is open on Monday evenings 7-9pm and Wednesdays 12-1:30pm.  

“Calls are confidential within Survivors' Network but in the event of safeguarding concerns we do have a duty of care to share information with relevant services. However, if a person does not give us their name or details about themselves then we would not be able to report to anyone, due to the nature of the helpline.  

“Survivors can talk for up to 45 minutes and receive empathic listening, emotional support, and some signposting as well.  

“My role is the Volunteer and Helpline Coordinator so I support the volunteers in their role, organise shifts and am always present during the helpline. I often take calls too but it is primarily a volunteer run service."

"Survivors are so often not believed, by their family, friends, the police, legal courts, and the media. So just telling them that can be very powerful." 

“Just someone to listen to them, without judgement or scepticism, and to offer empathy and understanding back. It is not counselling and we are not ISVAs [Independent Sexual Violence Advisor], but we can offer some signposting to other organisations or resources that could help them with what they bring to us. Most of the time survivors just want someone to listen and understand."

“Male survivors experiences can be different and there is also more stigma for men around being a survivor and accessing support. The services male survivors can access are different too, so we need to be giving them the right information. Men can’t access our groups, but they can work with an ISVA and can use the helpline. It's important for us to be able to offer support to all survivors where we can.”

"Reaching out for support can be really difficult for so many reasons, I’d just say when you do contact us you will be speaking to a non-judgemental, caring and informed person.  

“We understand speaking on the phone can be difficult for people too so on our helpline service we have an email if that is easier for making first contact. It can be used to ask for emotional support in the same way the helpline is, or for signposting.

“If they are looking to access more services as well we can forward their email to the welcome team who are the initial point of contact for all of SN. Or they can call or email the welcome team too, it is a voicemail service so they can leave a message and receive a call-back."