New Monday Helpline & Email Service

Survivors’ Network, the Rape Crisis Centre for Sussex, have announced that they will be extending their Helpline and Email Service hours from the 28^th of June.

The organisation, founded in 1990, has grown significantly in the last 12 months to attempt to meet the rapidly growing needs of survivors through the pandemic and beyond. Referrals have increased significantly, and many survivors who did not feel able to reach out at the height of lockdown are now approaching the organisation for support. The Helpline and Email Service became a significant lifeline for many survivors across Sussex  as the organisation had to stop in-person groups and training to protect their staff and the survivors who attended from the spread of Covid-19. As a result, Survivors’ Network adapted the service to reach as many survivors as possible, expanding to offer support to survivors of all genders aged fourteen and over.

From the 28^th of June, the organisation will be running the Helpline and Email Service   on Monday evenings from 7-9pm alongside the existing Wednesday lunchtime Helpline from 12-2pm.

Survivors of all genders ages 14 and above are invited to call for a thirty-minute conversation with a trained female volunteer, or to email the volunteers if that is preferable to speaking on the phone. Both services are also available to supporters of survivors of all genders – ranging from professionals who may have found a disclosure distressing to family members who are unsure how to offer support to their loved ones.

“Our Helpline volunteers are exceptionally kind, supportive and well-informed,” says Katie Cotterell-Snow, the Volunteer Led Services Co-ordinator. “They will always go the extra mile to make sure that survivors feel supported and heard when they get in touch. We are so delighted that we are able to extend the hours of our Helpline and Email Service to reach as many people as possible who may be feeling alone right now.”

“You took me from a dark place and showed me a glimmer of light” said one survivor of the support she received at Survivors’ Network.

You can call the Survivors’ Network Helpline on Wednesdays from 12-2pm or Mondays 7-9pm on 01273 720 110, or you can email help@survivorsnetwork.org.uk and receive a response within Helpline hours.

Rape and sexual abuse can happen to anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, sexuality, culture or class. If you have experienced sexual violence at any point in your life then you can contact Survivors’ Network on 01273 203380, via email on info@survivorsnetwork.org.uk or see www.survivorsnetwork.org.uk for details of their services and to donate.