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What is Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse can range from abusive words and looks to unwanted touching
and sexual intercourse. Sexual abuse happens to girls and boys of
all ages and from all backgrounds. Many girls and boys are sexually
abused by men and women they already know eg fathers, mothers, uncles,
brothers, "friends", teachers and acquaintances.
The effects of Sexual Abuse
The experience of sexual abuse can completely
change the way you view yourself, others and the world around you. It
can severely damage your self esteem and ability to form trusting loving
relationships. Effects such as depression, panic attacks,
substance misuse, self harm, suicidal thoughts/attempts and eating
disorders. Many survivors end up with a mental health diagnosis and feel
that they are crazy when in fact they are experiencing normal
reactions to being traumatised in childhood. You may
believe that being abused was your fault
but it was not. Sexual abuse is a betrayal of a child's basic rights.
As it is usually
secret, it can be very hard to tell anyone what has happened to you.
That is why we are here.
Aims and Objectives of ISAS
Aims
ISAS
was established to provide support and counselling for adult survivors
of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), their partners or supporters and their
families. ISAS also aims to raise public awareness of the issue of
childhood sexual abuse and its long term effects.
Objectives
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To
provide face-to-face, telephone and group counselling, and a telephone help-line, which support survivors of childhood sexual abuse, their
partners or supporters and their families.
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To
recruit and train volunteer counsellors and ensure that they receive
supervision according to the British Association of Counselling and
Psychotherapy requirements.
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To
campaign via the media and, with use of promotional materials seek to
raise awareness and understanding among professionals, voluntary groups
and the general public of the long term effects of childhood sexual
abuse.
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To act as a resource
centre, providing information to professional and voluntary groups,
including the general public.
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To
offer training to professionals, students etc, to explore the issues of
sexual abuse, including offender behaviour, its long-term effects and
appropriate treatment.
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To develop ISAS
as a professional organisation utilising the individual strengths of
the Management Committee, Manager, Coordinator, Administration
Officer and Volunteers.
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To
continue the funding campaign in order to be able to meet the overall
aims of ISAS.
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Our Services
ISAS takes self referrals and those from GPs,
mental health teams, social services, probation service, prison
services, criminal justice teams, drug and alcohol teams, voluntary
sector organisations and other counselling services.
All referrals are offered an initial assessment
appointment within two weeks of the initial contact and advised of
waiting times for counselling in their particular area. Whilst waiting ,
clients can receive support via the telephone helpline.
- Survivors of childhood sexual abuse are
offered up to twelve months of one to one counselling or where
appropriate the choice of attending a group.
- Partners, parents, family members of
survivors are offered up to eight weeks counselling.
- Sessions are usually for one hour per week.
- Clients are offered a choice of gender of
their counsellor.
Our Counsellors
We select our counsellors very carefully. They
are either fully qualified or on their final year of diploma
training. We provide regular training and supervision in accordance
with the British Association of Psychotherapy and Counselling Code
of Ethics and Practice. We currently have 34 qualified volunteer
counsellors. Recruitment takes place on a regular basis. If you wish
to be considered for a volunteer counsellor placement with ISAS on
our next recruitment campaign
complete the application
form. The ISAS
counselling service is confidential with the usual child protection
and risk assessment provisos.
"Just want to say that I think the office staff at
ISAS are great! They are helpful, reliable and supportive. Without them
behind me there is no way I would cope and they help make my counselling
life easier. Thank you all and keep up the good work."
Quote from an
ISAS volunteer counsellor
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Recommended Reading List
Surviving Secrets
- Moira Walker Surviving
Child Sexual Abuse - Liz Hall & Siobhan Lloyd
Victims No Longer - Mike Lew (male survivors)
The Drama of Being a Child - Alice Miller
The Obsidian Mirror - Louise Wisechild
Abused Boys - Mic Hunter
Speaking our Truth - Neal King (male survivors)
Cry Hard & Swim - Jacqueline Spring
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Student Information
Please find below the links to the most frequently
requested policies for student research. If you use these policies for
your research we ask that you give the source.
Code of Ethics and Professional Practice
Complaints
Confidentiality
Equal Opportunities
Client Referral and Assessment
Vulnerable Person Protection
SARC
- Sexual Abuse Referral Centre
ISAS are involved with the
Nottinghamshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre and is committed to
providing a sensitive and dedicated service that meets the needs of
victims of rape and serious sexual assault by offering an immediate
and initial 8-week support service to help reduce the long-term
effects of such trauma.
Below is a statement issued by Nottinghamshire
Police:
Victims of Rape and
Serious Sexual Assault
Nottinghamshire police are
committed to supporting those who have been subjected to rape or serious
sexual assult and to prosecute those who commit these crimes. A number
of our officers have received specialist training in dealing with these
crimes and are aware of the sensative issues that are often involved in
supporting victims. If you have been the victim of such a crime we want
you to tell us about it so we can start to help. The police can assist
in you receiving ongoing independent support through the Topaz Centre, a
dedicated facility to support victims of rape and serious sexual
assault. Victims will be taken to the Topaz Centre (or hospital if a
child) where they will be offered a forensic medical examination, if
appropriate, and the opportunity to provide a statement or special video
interview whilst being supported by an independent support worker. This
support can continue throughout the investigation and prosecution
process.
However if you are still
uncertain about telling the police you can make contact directly with
the Topaz Centre and seek advice. The Topaz Centre is committed to
providing a sensitive and dedicated service that meets the needs of
victims of rape and serious sexual assault throughout Nottinghamshire
through a partnership between the health service, police and voluntary
sector. You can speak to the Topaz Centre staff and be offered the
relevant information to be able to make an informed choice and receive
support, whatever your decision.
www.topazcentre.org.uk
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