A one hour introduction workshop for teams and groups

1. Responding well to adults disclosing non recent child sexual abuse A one hour introduction workshop for teams and groups

2. Why is this an issue for staff? Many people using services have experienced violence and abuse in their lives: • At least half of women and over a quarter of men using statutory mental health services will have been sexually abused in childhood.1 • Survivors say that all staff have the potential to be helpful to them - it isn’t about professional background or the length of contact2. 1 Sweeney et al (2016) 2 Nelson & Hampson (2008)

3. It is important because… • Abuse impacts on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing • When staff respond well to a disclosure it gives people permission to speak about their experiences and include the whole of themselves rather than just a part • It creates the possibility of people getting the help that they need • It can ensure that others receive support or are protected from abuse

4. It is important because… “The effects of what happened have stayed with me, un-dealt with and unprocessed, throughout my life. The damage from my early years has coloured everything else at all stages of my life. I know it sounds dramatic but I’m just telling it like it is.” Fisher, C., Goldsmith, A., Hurcombe, R., & Soares, C. (2017). The impacts of child sexual abuse: A rapid evidence assessment https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/iicsa-impacts-child-sexual-abuse-rapid-evidence-assessment-full-report-english: The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

5. Leeds Survivors say ….. • “I couldn’t begin to recover until I had disclosed child sexual abuse, I had kept my secret for decades. • “I wish someone had asked me sooner what had happened to me” • “I was treated for an eating disorder, I was very depressed, I was withdrawn, I had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, PTSD and borderline personality disorder and still no one asked me, what had happened to me” • “I might struggle to describe what actually happened as I am still seeing it through the eyes of a child” • “It would have been really helpful to know that as I started to come to terms with what happened to me that support could have been flexible” • “Disclosure can open a can of worms, each person will need something different, you may need to check in with the person, be flexible how you work and support the person.” • “Remember a person might not know / remember/ or agree with what has happened to them”

6. What gets in the way of responding well? • Staff lack confidence because they haven’t received relevant training • Many staff are worried about saying the wrong thing and making matters worse. • The belief that conversations about traumatic experiences should be left to specialists • Services that do not recognise the relevance of abuse often fail to provide the support staff need to respond well

7. What survivors want “I’m a survivor. I want acknowledgement, receptivity and understanding. I just want someone to sit over there and listen to me …I need my story to be witnessed, and that’s the validation I’m looking for.” Nelson, S., & Hampson, S. (2008). Yes you can! Working with Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (Second Edition). Edinburgh: The Scottish Government. http://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/workspace/publications/YesYouCan.pdf.

8. What survivors want… • Personal warmth and likeability • A non-judgemental attitude • Being empathetic, accepting, objective, patient and understanding • Being genuinely interested in a person • Recognition that it takes time to build trust • Time appropriate to their needs • Professional status, qualifications and theoretical approach are less important for survivors than these qualities

9. There are 3 keys to responding well • Confidence in yourself • Validation not judgement • Time, place and pace

10. What to say What not to say • It was/is not your fault • I am glad you’ve felt able to tell me this • I am really sorry this happened to you • What you’re telling me is important. What’s happened to you is wrong. • How do you think this may be related to what we are here today to talk about? • I can’t believe that happened to you • Why haven’t you told someone before? • I don’t know what to say • Why didn’t you leave? • I’ll have to report this • Tell me exactly what happened • It’s in the past, just leave it alone • It’s the past, just leave it alone

11. What next? • Be careful not to make assumptions about what they think or what they should do • Ask how they are feeling and if they’d like to talk with you further – if so, make an arrangement • Focus on coping, strengths and survival • Record the disclosure and consider any safeguarding issues • Check immediate safety and what support systems they have • Discuss options for further support

12. Be careful not to assume that someone… • Regards what is happening/happened as abuse • Does or doesn’t need or want counselling • Should report to the police Or that…. • They are safe now • Any children are currently being protected

13. Focus on strengths and survival • What helps you to cope? • What has kept you going over the years? • How did you manage to survive these things? • How have you stopped things getting worse? • What have you learned from what you’ve been through?

14. Record the disclosure As soon as possible record in writing: • What was said (in the service user’s own words) • The date, time, any names mentioned, locations, to whom the information was given and any subsequent actions • Make sure you follow your organisations record keeping procedures Tell the service user that you will do this and why • Don’t promise not to tell anyone else. • Explain the limits of confidentiality. • Explain your organisation’s safeguarding policy.

15. Reporting requirements when adults disclose • You are required to report any disclosures of historic or current abuse that lead you to believe that a child may be at risk. If this is a possibility contact your manager and Safeguarding Lead for advice • Otherwise reporting a crime such as rape or assault is up to the victim – unless they are ‘vulnerable adults’ • Always keep in mind the value of empowering someone to take action on their own behalf • ….

16. Safety planning Ask: • Are you OK to go home? • What are you afraid might happen? • What helps you to keep safe? e.g. people, places Then: • Help identify what they need to stay safe • Make a list of safe contacts and programme mobile with numbers to use in a crisis • Validate their courage and creativity

17. Discuss support options • Have you had the opportunity to talk to anyone about this before? • Have you had any support or help to deal with your feelings about what happened? • Would you like to talk to someone about how you feel about it all now? • Some people find counselling/therapy/survivors’ groups very helpful. If you are interested I can help you find some support for yourself.

18. Support for survivors Guided self-help, support from non-specialist staff, helplines etc Self-help, friends & family support Survivor support groups, counselling Longer-termpsychotherapy

19. Know what support is available • The Survivors Trust is a UK-wide national umbrella agency for 135 specialist organisations which support people in the UK who have experienced rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse. For support, advice and info call 0808 801 0818 • Victim Support national helpline is open through the night (8pm-8am) and all weekend - call 0808 168 9111 (freephone). • NAPAC is a national freephone support line for adults who have experienced any type of abuse in childhood. 0808 801 0331 • Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) is a national freephone helpline which supports any man or woman who has experienced rape or sexual abuse (or their supporters). Call 0800 028 8022 from 7.30-9.30pm, Sunday-Friday (closed bank holidays).

20. Local statutory & voluntary sector services • MindWell Child Sexual Abuse webpage contains useful information and is helpful for self-help resources and signposting to local services www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/child-sexual-abuse • Connect Helpline (6pm-2am)provides emotional support and information for people in distress: 0808 800 1212 • Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service, Dial House - mental health charity based in Leedsthat provides out-of-hours support to people in acute mental health crisis with the aim of reducing hospital admissions:0113 260 9328

21. Keep your own needs in mind We can feel privileged when we have been ‘real’ and helpful to a person disclosing abuse. But there is also a possibility that disclosures can bring up strong feelings of anger, fear, grief and powerlessness and for some our own memories can be triggered. Staff who are well supported will be better able to support their clients well. At different times staff may need: • De-briefing • Self-care strategies • Team support • Reflective supervision • Access to specific expertise in abuse • Continuing professional development

22. In conclusion • When staff are supported to have conversations about abuse the possibility of living well becomes more real • This is strongly supported by the voices of survivors, by research and in national policy • The aim of this session was to help you feel clearer and more confident about your role in helping this to happen • I hope this has been achieved.