Adult One-to-One Counselling
SOSRC offers trauma informed counselling support for adults who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any stage of their lives.
We prioritise confidentiality, empathy, and specialised care, catering to individuals of all genders, backgrounds, and abilities. Our centre that is based in Southend-on-Sea City has women only spaces. Also based at our Southend-on-Sea City centre are spaces that are for all genders.
Our objective is to establish a secure environment where clients feel validated, heard, and respected. Our team of skilled sexual violence counsellors delivers both remote and in-person weekly sessions, typically spanning from 6 to 20 weeks.
SOSRC provides a safe space to explore emotions surrounding experiences of any form of sexual violence that someone might have experienced at any time in their lives.
What you can expect from counselling:
Your counsellor will never pressure you to discuss topics you're not ready for, and together, you'll regularly assess whether the counselling aligns with your needs.
Though sessions may not always be easy, choosing specialised sexual violence counselling can be an empowering and transformative decision.
It offers an opportunity to confront and accept past experiences, paving the way for positive progress in life.
For further insights into what counselling at SOSRC entails and tips please refer to our resources.
Pre-Trial Therapy
Pre-Trial Therapy is emotional support, therapy or counselling that is offered to a victim or witness while the criminal justice process is on-going, and a trial may be possible. This covers from the point when you report what happened to the police to the time when all court proceedings are completed.
How it is different to other counselling: At any point before or during support you may choose to report to the police the incident that has brought you to us. Once you have reported to the police there are certain guidelines we have to adhere to as therapists.
We can continue offering you support, but you need to be aware that the police and/or CPS may request to see the notes we make during sessions if they believe the notes may contain material relevant to the investigation or trial.
Only material relevant should be disclosed to the police or CPS and you have the right to agree to the disclosure, to see the notes, and to agree to all documents released to the police. Although our notes will be minimal, accurate, general and objective; you also need to be aware that if disclosed, these notes will be viewed by the defence.
What can I use Pre-Trial therapy for? Just like other SOSRC counselling, you will see the same therapist at regular appointments. You and your therapist will decide what these sessions can help you with. For instance, you could use the space to talk about or process the impact that sexual violence has had on you. You could also work on coping strategies for dealing with any distressing thoughts and feelings. Pre-trial counselling is also often used to deal with emotional distress in day-to-day life during the criminal justice process. You can talk about any worries you have about the police or court process. If you wish so, your counsellor can liaise with your assigned ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) so that they can better support you and your needs.
What would happen if I remembered anything new about the incident? If you remember anything new relating to your current police investigation during one of your therapy sessions, we would ask you to complete a “First Disclosure Form” where we state the new information you have disclosed. This form will be objective, concise, and factual. If you think the new information may assist your case, you can speak to your ISVA about how you can submit this to the police.
Specialist Counselling - for victims and survivors of rape and sexual violence within domestic abuse
Thanks to funding received from Essex County Council, Synergy Essex is piloting a new service providing specialist counselling for victims of rape and sexual violence/abuse counselling within domestic abuse.
Please note this project is not available for people who live and/or access accommodation in Southend.
Counselling will be offered within three weeks of the referral.
Due to funding restrictions, to be eligible for this service, victims and survivors must meet the following three criteria:
1.Be either:
- Adult victims and survivors of rape or sexual violence/abuse as part of their experience of domestic abuse.
- Children who have experienced sexual abuse as part of domestic abuse or have witnessed or been impacted by sexual violence within domestic abuse.
2. Wish to access specialist counselling in relation to the sexual violence they have experienced
within domestic abuse.
3. Have resided in refuge or dispersed accommodation in the Essex County Council area after the
29th April 2021 when the new DA duties came into place.
Accommodation types are as follows:
One to One Counselling for Parents/Carers
We extend our counselling services to encompass not only individuals directly impacted by sexual violence but also to those who offer support to survivors.
This includes partners, parents, caregivers, and other family members who play crucial roles in the healing journey.
We recognise the ripple effects of sexual violence within familial and support networks and are committed to providing assistance and guidance to all those affected.
Our aim is to foster resilience, understanding, and healing within the broader circle of those impacted by these experiences.
We offer the amount of 6 sessions to people who are supporting survivors.
"When I joined the service, I was frequently afraid & not in control of my thoughts, emotions or my life. The biggest shift for me was gaining self-assurance & starting to trust and value myself. This change in self perception enabled all the other positive change in my life that have happened since
Survivor
Southend, Castle Point & Rochford - Essex
Office: 01702 667590 Email: info@sosrc.org.uk
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