Local sexual violence charity, Survive launches ’35 Years of Healing’ campaign

35 years of healing. Thousands supported. Hundreds still reaching Out.

This November, Survive proudly marks 35 years of providing specialist support to adult survivors of rape, sexual assault, and Child Sexual Abuse.

Many survivors of sexual violence and abuse experience psychological distress and PTSD symptoms including anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares and flashbacks. Suicidal thoughts and behaviours are common, and substance misuse and self-harm are often used as maladaptive coping strategies.

Sexual trauma makes everyday life difficult to navigate – impacting their employment, education, relationships, finances, and ability to self-care.

However, with Survive’s support, survivors can cope, recover, and move forward with their lives.

Survive’s services and interventions are proven to significantly reduce psychological distress and trauma symptoms in survivors.

Last year, Survive supported 1,914 people, and delivered 5,375 hours of support work, counselling, trauma therapy, EMDR psychotherapy, and helpline support – with just 15 full time equivalent staff.

Survive remains the only specialist, accredited sexual violence agency in York and North Yorkshire that delivers a range of free, confidential, and trauma-specific services and interventions spanning support work, counselling, trauma therapy and EMDR* psychotherapy.

And, whilst Survive marks 35 years of healing, the reality is also stark: many sexual violence agencies across the UK are being forced to close their doors due to high demand, increased costs, and chronic underfunding meaning many survivors will not get the help they need to cope and recover.

Despite supporting more survivors than ever before, for the first time in their 35 years – Survive had to close their waiting list temporarily to unfunded referrals.

CEO of Survive, Ms Mags Godderidge said: “We want all adult survivors to have access to our free-of-charge life-changing and life-saving services and interventions and give them the chance to heal, rebuild, and thrive. To make this a reality, alongside donations and trust funds, we will need long-term, sustainable investment from both local and national government.”

Founded in 1990 in York as a small, survivor-led support group, Survive has spent over three decades providing a safe space for adult survivors to rebuild their lives. Since 2019, the charity has expanded to support people across North Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire, in response to a growing demand, becoming a vital resource for survivors throughout the region.

“Survive has achieved so much since the first seeds were sown three decades ago. For those with experience of sexual abuse, the legacy leaves a long and difficult road to travel. Sadly, the need for the vital support and services Survive provides to aid people on that journey is as great as it ever was – perhaps even more so in these challenging times.”

Ruth, founder of Survive in 1990

 

Please, donate and support survivors

Survive’s support changes – even saves – the lives of survivors.

By supporting Survive, you can ensure help is available to a survivor, whenever they’re ready to come forward.

“The support Survive gives is unlike any other organisation, they have the ability to truly make positive change in people’s lives.”

Donate to Survive’s ’35 Years of Healing’ campaign: 35 years of healing. Thousands supported. Hundreds still reaching out. – JustGiving

“I probably owe my life to Survive. I know I’m not at the end of my journey, but I’m further down the road than I have ever been.”

Learn more: www.survive-northyorks.org.uk