Online Support Service

John from Blacon has been busy again and sent me another vitally important public service announcement. This time it is to announce an online support service provided for survivors of sexual violence in Cheshire.

Online Support Service

Here’s the announcement provided – thanks again John. Another very useful and informative article.

“An online support service for survivors of sexual violence in Cheshire has been launched. Delivered by the Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service, the Survivors Live Chat offers emotional support, information and sign-posting to survivors of rape, sexual violence and sexual abuse.

The helpline is staffed by volunteers who are specially trained in supporting survivors to overcome their ordeal. It aims to provide support to victims who may not feel confident enough to access the support provided by the service over the phone.

Online Support Service – Grant To Help With The Service

Crime commissioner David Keane has awarded Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service a £5,000 grant from his Safer Communities Fund to allow the online chat service to run for two evenings every week.

He said: “This new service will be crucial in supporting survivors who lack confidence seeking support face-to-face or over the phone, enabling them to make informed decisions about reporting abuse to the police.

“It’s important that we provide as many mechanisms as possible to support survivors of these heinous crimes and I’m pleased that my Safer Communities Fund can help open up another avenue for survivors to seek support.”

The online support service was set-up following a study from Rape Crisis England and Wales which identified that 79 per cent of young women felt confident using online technology to access support and 54 per cent of them prioritised email and text communication.

Alison Breadon, centre manager of Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service, added: “We are delighted to receive this vital support towards our new Livechat service.

“This will enable us to provide more accessible support to more survivors of sexual violence across Cheshire. “We’ll be helping people at a really vulnerable time in their lives, enabling and empowering survivors to cope with their experience, and decide for themselves what they want to do next.

Online Support Service – Live Chat Can Be A Lifeline

“Survivors tell us sometimes it’s hard to talk on the phone, and Livechat can be a real lifeline – and now we’re able to provide that, thanks to the generous support of the commissioner’s Safer Communities fund.”

The Survivors Live Chat service can be accessed alongside the existing telephone support on Monday and Wednesday evenings between 6pm-8pm by visiting www.csass.org.uk

No excuses for sexual violence Rape and sexual abuse can be committed against anyone regardless of their age, gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, culture or social status.

Living with the consequences of sexual violence can be devastating. At Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service (CSASS), we believe you’re entitled to receive the best possible support and help, whether you choose to report, or not.

Online Support Service – Taking The First Step

Taking the first step of telling someone about what’s happened to you can be really difficult. We appreciate how hard that can be. We really want to help you. CSASS can give you a confidential environment where you will feel safe, supported, and believed.

We support all adults who have experienced sexual abuse, and support families, friends, partners, and professionals affected by sexual abuse. CSASS supports women and men. As a women-led organisation we provide women-only spaces on certain days. Also, we recognise this is what you might need to feel completely safe and understood. We only employ female members of staff too.

We offer a range of services including our support line and counselling and group activities. If you contact us, we can also suggest other organisations that might be able to help you too.

We’re based in Chester city centre in an easily accessible and discrete location. SUPPORT LINE FREEPHONE: 0808 284 0484 CHESTER SEXUAL ABUSE SUPPORT SERVICE IS A REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1133564

Online Support Service – An Invaluable Service

It goes without saying that it is such a terrible thing for anyone who has had to endure a sexual assault. Unfortunately it is something that happens and in the ideal world there would be no such thing to worry about. But, sadly it does happen.

However, it is a comfort to some degree to know that there is an organisation out there who can help. Victims do not need to suffer in silence. Well done and a huge thanks to all the volunteers in providing this service.

And a big thanks to David Keane for making funds available from the Safety Communities Fund.

Chester Crimewatch

Another article to add to the many articles already included in the Chester Crimewatch section. It really is worth having a look in the category to see what else you should be aware of. You can find all the articles HERE.

Chester Lifestyle

To see what else is covered on my Chester Lifestyle and to find out more about Chester – have a look HERE. Latest blog posts can be found HERE.