If you are working with or supporting a child aged 10 or below who has experienced sexual abuse, please complete this referral form.
We ask that you complete this form as accurately as possible – if you are unsure how to answer a particular question, please state “Unknown”. We will then contact you to let you know if we can progress the referral to the next stage – we will be unable to process this referral if you do not provide us with your details and valid means of contacting you. We will work to ensure the child you wish to refer is directed to the most appropriate support. If we are unable to establish contact, we will keep the referral open for two weeks after which time we will close the referral. Please note if we are not the right service for the child you wish to refer, we will do our best to signpost you.
Please be aware that we require consent from the child being referred and we will need you to confirm that you have gained that consent before we can process this referral. You will also need to confirm that you have gained the explicit consent of the child’s parent / care giver (the person who holds legal parental responsibility for the child) for you to make this referral. If there is a good reason for you to have not gained the explicit consent of the child and the child’s parent / care giver, you will be asked to explain why in order for us to assess the child’s immediate needs. If you believe the child to be in immediate danger, please dial 999.
As part of our referral process, we are required to store any data you provide us in a secure location. Further details about our Privacy Policy are available on our parent Community First’s website.
Important Information for Professionals / Family Friends:
START has a legal safeguarding duty to protect children and young people. If information is shared with us that indicates sexual abuse has occurred and this has not yet been reported to the relevant professionals or organisations (e.g. the Police, Children’s Services), we are required to notify them ourselves. We will always aim to talk to you first and explain what is happening. Our goal is to work alongside you, not against you. However, protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people must come first.
Call our Advice & Support Line on 01962 868 688
Anonymous SMS Text helpline service: 07786 207492
Available 24 hours
(any messages left are checked Mondays-Fridays between 9am-4pm)
Testimonials
"I am now in control of my thoughts and my life. I have gained self-confidence in so many ways and I am no longer haunted by the past."
"I have been given the tools to cope with everyday life. Without counselling I would have continued to deny my situation and feelings which was having extreme detrimental effect on myself, family and friends… RASAC has saved me from self destruction without the support I would have crumbled – a true life saver."
"My RASAC counselling has completely changed my life… I am a better mother, a more involved member of the community and I am able to keep myself safe."
"I was counselled for almost a year. I had a wonderful counsellor who helped me through a very difficult and unpleasant time in my life. It has been a process of healing by revisiting past places which at one time felt unimaginable. The journey has been raw and unnerving but slowly I came to see how I was repairing my damaged self. I finally accepted ownership of what had happened to me and was able to let go of my guilt and shame. My counsellor understood my outlook on life and created a connection with me that was very special. I eventually looked forward to my session as a weekly debrief rather than a purge. I am as happy and confident as I have ever been and I tell people about what I have learnt to help turn their negativity into positivity. Fear can be a very powerful emotion and prevent us from moving on in our lives but once it is confronted the clouds separate and you can focus on that hint of sunshine."
"Thank-you for the support, for the first time since talking about the sexual abuse to someone it is really helping me."
"Thank you so much for all your time and support while I was working through all of the stuff that happened - I really couldn't have done it without your help and input." Male client - June 2021
"The support, understanding and guidance that I've received from START has been life-changing. The whole process has been crucial for me to understand some of the trauma I'd experienced during my childhood. Who I've become as a consequence, who I am today, and how I process some of my thoughts, feelings and emotions." - April 2023
"I cannot thank Sarah at START enough for the counselling I received. I was a bit sceptical of the EMDR therapy I was offered at first but it really has helped me a great deal and I'm grateful for having the opportunity to go through it." - April 2023
"I'd like to thank everyone involved at START. You're doing a phenomenal job. I can't stress how important this journey has been for me. It's been a life altering experience." - April 2023
"Thank you for the Lotus week end, my life is taking a turn for the better and my new journey begins now." - July 2023
