Social Impact / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2021
Bristol charity advent calendar 2021, day 14: SARSAs
SARSAS is a leading sexual violence service in the south west who support and campaign for people affected by rape and sexual abuse and believe that everyone has the right to live free from abuse and its impact.
In the last year, their passionate team of specialists supported a total of 4,316 clients through their helpline and live chat, one to one specialist support, counselling and group work.
The charity also shines a light on hidden areas of sexual violence through their expertise in specialist areas like their learning disabilities and autism service, older women’s project and research into sibling sexual abuse.
is needed now More than ever
This year, the team was announced as a winner of the GSK IMPACT Awards for 2021. This national award highlights the impact of the work they do with victim-survivors of rape and sexual abuse in their local communities.
“Our ethos is always to listen and believe. We know that rape and sexual violence is never the fault of the victim-survivor and we know that the impact of rape and sexual abuse can be devastating and life-long,” said Claire Bloor, the chief executive of the charity.
“At SARSAS, we offer hope to people affected by sexual violence. Recovery can be hard but it is possible. We provide a safe and confidential space where no-one is judged and will always be believed.”
“The last year has brought unprecedented challenges for SARSAS due to the on-going effects of the pandemic. Alongside a 37 per cent in referrals for support, we have had to adapt our ways of working to continue to provide support to our clients and have launched new services such as our Live Chat to make it easier for people to get in touch.”
“The impact of Covid-19 and lockdowns has made every-day life extremely difficult for many victim-survivors of sexual violence with an increase in trauma symptoms and mental ill-health. This has come at a time when many other avenues of support (personal or professional) were not available.”
“Sexual violence and violence against women is on the agenda like never before and we will continue to campaign to end gender-based violence until all women and girls are safe.”
If you have been affected by rape or sexual abuse and would like support, you can contact SARSAS at:
Helpline: 0808 801 0456 Mon and Fri: 11am – 2pm, Tue, Wed and Thu: 6pm – 8pm
Live Chat: via our website. Tue and Thu: 12noon – 2pm, Wed: 6pm – 8pm
E-support: support@sarsas.org.uk
SARSAS Self-help Guides: www.sarsas.org.uk/self-help-guides/
Main photo: SARSAS
Read more: Bristol charity advent calendar 2021, day 13: Gympanzees
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