Project supports families affected by childhood sexual abuse

Families affected by childhood sexual abuse – and the professionals working alongside them – are being offered crucial support through a new partnership.

The Somerset Phoenix Project is a specialist service for children and young people aged from 5-18 years old and their parents and carers.

Barnardo’s and SARSAS (Somerset & Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support) are working together to offer support and training to families and professionals in order to give them greater confidence to respond effectively.

Commissioned by Somerset County Council and NHS England, the project is not a crisis referral service. Instead it focuses on recovery and supports families and professionals to develop their skills and knowledge through the provision of comprehensive training, self-help guides and consultations.

Staff are also establishing professional forums and a peer support group for parents and carers, and there is provision for specialist support, counselling and creative therapy.

The Somerset Phoenix Project first started taking shape last June but now has a full team of staff. In the first nine months of development they received almost a hundred requests for support for children and families, and more than a hundred requests for professionals to attend Phoenix training.

The scale of the challenge is immense – in Somerset it is feared that hundreds of children and young people are affected by sexual abuse every year.

Physical, emotional and behavioural issues can include flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, eating problems, truancy, depression, isolation and aggression.

However, the service is already making a positive impact on local families.

One mum said: “I used to say ‘What’s the point in counselling?’ but now I know that it can really help. A weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I can cope with my feelings.”

Her child added: “Barnardo’s is like having a shell around you when you feel worried and full of emotion. Then you feel you can talk about it and you lose some of the bad stuff.”

Barnardo’s children’s services manager Michael Hammond said: “This is a major milestone in improving support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, building on the expertise of our Mandala therapy service which has already been working in Somerset for more than ten years.

“The Phoenix team has a specific focus on children who are not receiving effective support despite the terrible abuse they have experienced. With Somerset County Council’s vision to commission this service, we are filling a huge gap which had previously caused a lot of distress.

“The staff build capacity among frontline professionals such as school staff and social workers and significantly reduce the negative impact of this horrendous crime, addressing problems before they become too serious and entrenched.

“We always work with hope, and believe – with the right support at the right time – victims will recover their childhoods and rebuild their lives.”

SARSAS chief executive Claire Bloor said: “SARSAS are very optimistic that the Phoenix Project will take forward our aim to be part of a culture in Somerset where no-one is afraid or ashamed to speak up about childhood sexual abuse.

“This project is a vital part of the services offered to survivors and professionals; providing the right service at the right time.”

Cllr William Wallace, chairman of Somerset County Council, said: “I am very proud that Somerset County Council Public Health, working in partnership with our NHS England and CCG commissioners, identified the need for this very special work training professionals and families to help children affected by sexual abuse.

“I hope that children and families involved in the Somerset Phoenix Project will themselves gain strength and resilience from the support they receive through this project and go on to rebuild their lives.

“At Somerset County Council we are dedicated to giving every child the very best start in life and we are doing everything in our power, working with partners, to prevent, identify and deal with child abuse and child sexual abuse.”

For further information, email somersetphoenixproject@barnardos.org.uk or visit www.barnardos.org.uk/somersetphoenixproject

The post Project supports families affected by childhood sexual abuse appeared first on Charity Today News.