Specialist services must be freely available to survivors of sexual violence
AS I walked up the stairs of the Rape Crisis Centre (RCC), I was struck by the poems and paintings that hung on the wall. For these are not merely artworks. They not only capture the beauty and tragedy of life; these poems and paintings are a testament to the vital work that takes place behind closed doors.
For that is the nature of RCC confidential support services. It is also the nature of sexual violence — an issue that continues to be shrouded in secrecy and stigma. And yet, sexual violence has been recognised as one of the most frequent forms of trauma worldwide.
In Ireland, it is a problem that is both serious and pervasive, with 42% of women and 28% of men reporting some form of sexual abuse or assault in their lifetime (SAVI report). However, when faced with the traumatic impact, most individuals do not disclose or seek help. For those who do, it is generally after many years of denial and suffering in silence.
The 2015 EU Victims’ Directive establishes minimum standards for the provision of support to all victims of crime, including the right to access free and specialist services, regardless of whether a complaint has been made to the gardaí.
So what does this mean in the context of sexual violence in Ireland? Though RCCs have been at the forefront of the Irish response since 1979, a systematic assessment of their services (counselling, helpline, advocacy, accompaniment, education) had been lacking.
This raises a number of important questions. For example, to what extent are survivors’ needs being met and what is RCC counselling’s role in the recovery process?
In order to answer these questions, I conducted research with individuals participating in counselling and counsellors across six RCCs. As the first comprehensive study of RCCs, this research has important implications for practice and policy. So, what do the findings tell us?
RCCs provide counselling (the majority free of charge) by qualified trauma specialists to individuals who have experienced rape, sexual assault, and/or child sexual abuse.
Placing an emphasis on coping strategies, they offer an important alternative to traditional clinical models. RCCs recognise the profound psychological, emotional, and physiological impact of sexual violence, in addition to the social context within which recovery takes place.
Seemingly lifelong, it is evident that recovery is a personal journey involving struggle and growth. As such, their approach is neither goal-oriented nor time-limited.
Portraying it as a time of uncertainty and apprehension, the findings reveal the difficulty involved in taking that first, often tentative, step to participate in counselling.
For healing to begin, in many cases, one must disclose the story they so desperately hid, breaking not only the silence but the very defences that were put in place to protect themselves.
However, RCC counselling was predominantly characterised as a safe, non-judgmental space and the value of working through the traumatic consequences in this setting is evident. Survivors reported numerous positive outcomes, such as strength, development of adaptive coping strategies, and releasing/letting go of their shame, anger, and hurt.
The significance of counsellors empowering survivors to find their own answers and to work at their own pace also emerged. Although reconnecting with others is a particularly difficult aspect of recovery, it seems likely that the trust built in the therapeutic relationship helps individuals to build trust in their own lives.
Stephanie, who experienced sexual abuse in childhood, encapsulates the difference RCC counselling can make: “I can’t fully explain how much it has helped me. I believe I wouldn’t be here without it. For the first time in 10 years, I am finally coming out of the depression I have suffered and that is thanks to the RCC. My self-esteem is high. What I have found most useful was getting my confidence back and above all the shame finally leaving me and that is priceless.”
The research also indicates that gendered norms influence the recovery process in a number of complex ways. While men may struggle more than women with acknowledging that they need help and with talking about the trauma, the counsellors confirmed that men do deal with their emotions.
However, because sexual violence perpetrated against men or by women is less common and very rarely a topic of informed discussion, disbelieving attitudes abound in society.
As Leon, one survivor explained: “‘Sure, how would you let that happen? ‘Don’t be a fool; you’re a man aren’t you?’
“It’s just the way people view it, I suppose. It’s ever so slightly annoying. It’s like, ‘men don’t cry’, another one that aggravates me. It’s ridiculous. Everybody is vulnerable and needs help at some point and it’s not a sign of weakness to look for it.”
The vast majority of survivors would ‘strongly recommend’ RCC counselling. However, despite a 12% increase in the number of individuals accessing RCC support services between 2010 and 2011 alone, RCCs have experienced funding cuts of up to 30% between 2008 and 2014 (Rape Crisis Network Ireland).
A recent domestic violence costs report highlights that the provision of adequate funding now would prevent an even greater economic cost to the State in the future.
In order to implement the minimum standards outlined by the EU Directive in relation to sexual violence, it is imperative that RCCs are formally recognised as the specialist support service.
It is also vital that they receive ongoing adequate funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to ensure continued service provision that eradicates waiting lists. This would, in turn, ensure that survivors are allowed the time and space necessary to heal. For that is the story the artworks tell; they speak of individuals having a voice, when once they were silenced. Moreover, they speak of hope:
As Lisa, another survivor of abuse put it: “I never knew what I was missing until counselling opened my eyes. I used to believe that nobody would love me. Now I say ‘Why wouldn’t someone love me?’ I can now begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, whereas before I couldn’t. It has exceeded my expectations because it has allowed me to see possible happiness that I didn’t know even existed. It is the single best thing I ever did for myself and it has given me a new life.”
