As part of a Rape Awareness Campaign launched by Hampshire Constabulary, Michelle Barry from Southampton Rape Crisis describes the work the organisation does with local young people in Southampton.
Southampton Rape Crisis (SRC) provides a range of services to those who are at risk of, or who have been affected by, an unwanted sexual experience. This may include anything from rape, childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault to harassment or coercion.
Any unwanted sexual experience can have a significant impact on the individual both emotionally and physically. SRC work with young people (from 12 years old), men, women and families, as well as providing information, advice and support to agencies which are working with affected individuals.
Michelle Barry, Southampton Sex Relationships Education Group Coordinator with SRC, describes some of the work they do with young people.
?It is worrying that? ?many of the young people who come to us following an unwanted sexual experience feel that the same thing might happen to them again. They feel it has been proven that they can?t keep themselves safe. Through our counselling and outreach work with young people we hope address some of these issues.
?The Star Project is our education and outreach initiative which aims to reduce the incidence of rape and sexual abuse and raise awareness of support services via creative and innovative workshops with young people in Southampton. Star also offers specialist targeted work around issues of positive relationships, consent, sexual exploitation, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence and other relevant sex and relationships education topics.
?In working with young people we are able to adopt many different approaches to put our messages across. We have been able to develop projects using drama, music, graffiti and dance. We always link with other agencies to deliver targeted work amongst vulnerable groups in the city; helping to raise awareness of the many resources open to young people in Southampton, and work hard to ensure that young people feel comfortable and confident in accessing them.
?Having the back up counselling service for all of the outreach work provides a ?safety-net? when working with young people around sensitive issues and there has been a significant rise in contacts from young people since the Star project began.?
Feedback from some of the young people Michelle has worked with includes:
?Don?t feel under pressure in a relationship ? remember, you have a voice! Stand up and speak up!? (Female, 15)
?I liked the openness of Star. It was great and I learnt the consequences of choices that can ruin the relationship. I learnt the values and disadvantages of sex? (Male, 15)
Between April 2011 and March 2012 Southampton Rape Crisis had provided 677 young persons counselling sessions, took on 41 new young person clients (66 clients finished) and conducted 91 young person assessments.
The service had also provided 2,239 adult counselling sessions, had taken on 92 new adult clients (48 clients finished) and conducted 214 adult assessments.
Pictured: mock up of a counselling session
Links
For more information visit the Southampton Rape Crisis website at www.southamptonrapecrisis.com.
For more information on the laws on rape and issues around consent visit www.dontcrosstheline.co.uk
.
Comments (0)
Subscribe to this comment?s feed
Article source: http://www.bitternepark.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1579:young-people-supported-by-southampton-rape-crisis&catid=1:local-news&Itemid=59
how to tie a tie snl green bean casserole sweet potato recipes the sound of music celebration church new york auto show 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.