RASA Annual Report 2016-2017

RASA
Merseyside

Annual Report
2016 - 2017

Empowering survivors of sexual violence
on their path to recovery since 1986

Registered Charity Number 1094462
Company Limited by Guarantee Number 4538556

2

RASA Merseyside at 31

In 2016, RASA Merseyside celebrated story. No two people are the same. No two
30 years of service to survivors cases are the same – and at RASA we ensure
of sexual violence in Merseyside, that every client knows how different they are.
recognising our evolution from a
small group of dedicated women Our clients know there is no “one size fits all”
working in Birkenhead in 1986, to here and we offer a wide range of therapeutic
where we stand today – a specialist models and support services – designed round
sexual violence agency staffed by the individual we are working with that day, that
experienced, qualified, professional hour, that moment.
women – all with one passion – to
improve the lives of those affected RASA’s enduring success in supporting clients to
by sexual violence. recovery stems from a learned and experienced
understanding of sexual violence and the lasting
2016-17 has been a year of ups and downs – and effects experienced by survivors.
some changes we would not have chosen to make.
Sadly, it was a year which closed with us needing We listen without judgement.
to lose staff and cut back on some of our services We believe without question.
for the first time in many years. We support without discrimination.

On the positive side, it was also our first full year All RASA services are confidential and are
with two appropriately sized fully functioning free of charge at point of delivery.
centres – one on either side of the Mersey. We
started the year with our centre in Bootle catering If you have been affected by rape or sexual
for clients resident or working in Sefton and abuse at any time in your life you can talk to
Liverpool and our expanded centre in Birkenhead a woman in confidence: 0151 666 1392.
catering for Wirral residents, with the bonus of a Alternatively, you can contact us via our
small and discrete centre in West Wirral for those website: www.rasamerseyside.org
who require a service closer to home.
Professionals and practitioners wishing
Right back when we started 30 years ago we were to refer a client can do so via the website.
managing tens of clients every year. After ten years
we were managing a couple of hundred clients Helpline
every year. number is

In 2015-16 we saw 2121 clients in total and now in 0151 - 666
our 30th year of being, we have supported 2428 - 1392
survivors of sexual violence in the twelve months
of 2016-17.

The demand for our services seems unending.
Month after month the referral numbers increase –
every referral an individual person with their own

3

Making an Impact

Funding and Commissioning

As always, key players in our ability opportunity to finely hone the skills and needs
to maintain services, are our funders of such an operational team and establish the
and commissioners. In that respect, structure firmly for the future of the organisation.
this has been our best year ever.
It was also to be the final year of Home Office
In 2016-17 we have once again been funded funding for our Wirral ISVA Service. This service
through the Female Rape Support Fund and the has grown in client base year on year, ensuring
Male Rape Support fund. These two funds form those who require support through the criminal
the core of our service and are essential for our justice system whether they are reporting recent
continuation. They ensure we can pay the rent, or non-recent abuse and rape, can get that
pay the utility and phone bills, stay fully insured support close to home.
and hold a core staff team to oversee it all.
Children in Need continued to fund us for a
In addition, the Ministry of Justice provided an final year and our children’s service could grow
allowance to fund our work with adult survivors and flourish as a result. 390 young people aged
of childhood sexual abuse, which in this year under eighteen passed through the doors of
amounted to 48% adult clients. the Sunflowers rooms in year.

We continued with our long standing, but newly Our grant from the John Moores Foundation
achieved commission through Wirral Borough supported the training and ongoing development
Council Public Health – to provide counselling of staff and volunteers, ensuring gaps in knowledge
and support to adult survivors resident in Wirral. and experience were met with subject specific
training and education.
Several long-term funding streams came to an
end in this year, one being the Big Lottery grant We were proud to be recommissioned in
for the West Wirral service – although it continued partnership with our sister centre RASASC to
until March 2017. deliver the contract for the Merseyside Police
and Crime Commissioner – providing an ageless,
Children in Need continued to genderless service to survivors of sexual violence
fund us for a final year and our across the entire Merseyside footprint. This
children’s service could grow commissioned piece of work aims to provide
post assault counselling and support for all
and flourish as a result. individuals requiring it and guarantees a full
clinical risk and needs assessment shortly after
Our five-year grant funding from The Brook first contact is made. At this appointment a
Trust was in its final year too. This very generous bespoke recovery package is put in place
funding has allowed us to maintain an experienced and the client will be placed in a waiting process
team of operational managers and while we will dependant on their calculated risk and need.
miss it hugely, we will, of necessity, maintain the
established structure – because it works. We are We were further re-commissioned to deliver a
endlessly grateful to The Brook Trust for continuing complete ISVA Service for Liverpool residents
to fund us for this length of time, allowing us the which allowed us to retain the 142 existing
Liverpool ISVA clients and accept a further
261 into service in the year.

4

Smaller grant funds were awarded in year – Sefton Council made contribution towards RASA’s
smaller – but no less significant. RASA provides work with Sefton residents requiring ISVA support.
a holistic package of care and often, minority This allowed us to continue working with Sefton
needs must be met through such funding. ISVA clients from the previous year, as well as
accepting new clients into service.
In this year we received a grant from The Swan
Mountain Trust that allowed us to deliver Protecting We could not reach the thousands of people who
Our Children in Polish. A small but significant need us without funds and support from individuals,
number of participants were quite overwhelmed and local and national statutory and non-statutory
with the intuition they gained from participating in organisations. Everyone who funds us, whether it
the course and we would like to think that word is a little or a lot, is making a big difference to the
will spread throughout the Polish community. RASA lives of people affected by sexual violence.
has been offered the opportunity to reapply this
fund to carry out further educational workshops in
languages other than English and will be so doing.

Thank you.

“ I  really cannot fault anything about the establishment.
I find it very warm and welcoming and most importantly I feel safe.”

5

RASA receives referrals from a huge number
of different sources – here are just a few

Referring Agency 2016-17

30

25

20

15

10

5

0
Apr-16 May-16 Jun-16 Jul-16 Aug-16 Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17

Asylum seeker support agency SafePlace SARC Merseyside Tomorrows Women Wirral
Witness Care / Victim Support Adult Social Services MASH
Anti-tra cking Organisation Mental Health Children's Social Services
IAPT Service DV Services
Housing Other Named Agency Family/Friend
GP's Education Police

Rainbow Centre
Drugs/Alcohol

These are just some of the key agencies that make direct referral to RASA.

In this year, as in previous years, the biggest Local Authority Social Services made up 17.47%
referral source was self-referral 33.72% (610) new referrals (316). These include referrals from
adult and children social services and housing
The second highest referring agency was the and homeless sections.
police – which includes all police, Merseyside
or other forces – 10.62% (192) Health referrals – mental health, addiction, GP,
hospital etc account for 17.97% new referrals (325)

“RASA has really helped me out, I will be able to know me, before I didn’t
know who I was. I am happy everything is private and confidential.”

6

Making an Impact

Partnerships

In this year RASA has cemented We work in partnership with Savera UK to
further its partnerships with provide information and training on addressing
key agencies. violence against women and girls within BME
communities, particularly with reference to
RASA works in partnership with our sister female genital mutilation (FGM).
organisation providing parallel services to survivors
in East Merseyside and Cheshire, and actively
explores the development of partnership working
to achieve more for survivors, avoid duplication,
and remain cost-effective.

We have had a long and successful professional We believe that we must share
relationship with RASASC Cheshire and expertise and knowledge, and
Merseyside. RASASC provides counselling promote equitable allocation
and ISVA services in St Helens and Knowsley, of resources to achieve the best
Warrington and Cheshire. possible services and outcomes
for victims and survivors of sexual
violence, and work towards
communities free of sexual
violence and abuse.

RASA out and about.

“When I started with them, I was really broken.
If I compare to how I am now, they’ve done really well.”

7

The Year at RAS A :

April 2016

As always in April, all staff and volunteers were sessions and appointments and phone calls.
busy updating client information for year-end It was a nightmare. Now we log them online
monitoring reports. April is always a very busy as we go along, so it’s much better.”
month as so many staff are involved in this process.
Having all client data filed online on a secure cloud Around 10th-12th April all records were up to
based server makes data processing much simpler. date on the system and the data controller
ran the year end reports. We were astounded
“In the past we used to keep all our records on to see the increase in client numbers on the
paper and at quarter end we had to count up our previous year.

RASA Clients

200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20

0
APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR

TOTAL 2016-17 TOTAL 2015-16

While the reports were being prepared – a task In 2016-17 RASA had 5 qualified ISVA’s working
that takes a full month to process and complete, in the boroughs of Wirral, Liverpool and Sefton.
RASA work carried on as usual with the ISVA It was a very busy service.
Team often absent for days on end covering
court cases, supporting their clients through One successful prosecution stands out from
difficult court appearances and on occasion April 2016 – a case first started in February 2014
helping them come to terms with the aftermath involving non-recent childhood sexual abuse –
when not guilty verdicts were returned. the individual concerned was fully supported for
over two years with 179 interactions logged in
Many of the cases in court in this month had that time. It clearly demonstrates the intricacy
been carried forward from previous years. and involvement of the ISVA in a client’s case.
It brought home to us how long ISVA clients
could be in service while they awaited their 3588 Activities Logged 53911
court dates. minutes in service delivery

“No matter how long ago (weeks/months) my last meeting was I always felt welcomed
into the centre and my advisor was still up to date with everything that happened.”

8

2016

May

the organisational knowledge grant allowed us to offer free
and awareness of services as we holistic therapy and relaxation
work with many such individuals sessions to clients waiting for
who are not only displaced from long periods of time. This was
their homelands but are also piloted from May onwards in
enduring the effects of traumatic our newly extended Birkenhead
sexual violence. Centre. It was a huge success.

May is traditionally a quieter We were in talks this month This was also the month
month for referrals but despite with John Moores University in which it was confirmed
the lull, the actual number of to train up and develop a Team that RASA would work in
referrals received was up 64% of RASA student Representatives. partnership with Lime Culture
on the previous year. There The purpose is to be a point of to deliver support to individuals
was a huge spike in police contact to provide support in participating in “Truth Project”
referrals and the beginnings signposting or referring students sessions as part of the
of an increase in referrals who have disclosed recent or Independent Inquiry into Child
from mental health services. It non-recent sexual abuse and to Sexual Abuse. Staff were safely
made for a busy month and the work as part of a team, promoting recruited into the project team
assessment teams – made up the ethos, principle and values and full vetting and barring
of qualified counsellors – were of RASA. procedures were carried out. The
kept extremely busy indeed. IICSA Team held training sessions
Our waiting lists continued to at our Bootle Centre and we
RASA Community Engagement rise, and we started looking at awaited the first participants.
Worker attended an event at ways of holding clients in service
FACT in Liverpool “The Guide and engaged while waiting for 3671 Activities Logged
for Working with People Seeking the face to face counselling and 59048 minutes in
Asylum” which greatly enhanced support they needed. A small service delivery

Clients by Borough 2016-17

120
100

80
60
40
20

0
Apr-16 May-16 Jun-16 Jul-16 Aug-16 Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17

Liverpool Sefton Wirral

“It has helped me not just in the way I felt about
my assault but other issues I have in my life.”

9

2016

June

June 2016 saw a massive This is a clear example of RASA On average I carry out 4
spike in referrals from responding to gaps in knowledge initial assessments a day
Children’s Social Services. as indicated by service user and 2 counselling sessions.”
need and legislative change.
From an average of 4 per RASA constantly monitors service The West Wirral Centre
month from this source, RASA delivery and reacts as rapidly as continued to manage around
received 18 in this month alone. appropriate to change. a dozen clients per week for
This was due in the main to our counselling sessions. Such
involvement in a complex and RASA Community Engagement clients demonstrate a high
wide-ranging prosecution that Officer delivered several retention rate as the centre staff
involved a great many children Protecting Our Children contact them pre-appointment to
and young people. It stretched Workshops to housing groups remind them of dates and times.
the Children’s Service to capacity in Wirral this month – equipping Holistic clients who have gained
and extra workers were diverted frontline workers to better trust and confidence in the
into the service to help with handle disclosures and advise centre and who have endured
the uplift. them fully on signposting and years of silence are increasingly
effective management of such. confident about making
RASA Clinical Lead also noted The workshop highlights the red disclosures and transferring into
this month that “we have seen flag warning signs and keeps the RASA Service to address
a significant increase in the professional fully advised of their abuse.
request for Note Disclosures how to respond safely should
of client counselling notes. To they have concerns about a An Open Day held this month
support all staff and volunteers child or young person. in West Wirral, welcomed
around this and ensure clients professionals from partner
continue to have the upmost Referrals into service overall agencies, some of whom
confidence in our working ethics were 57% higher this month appeared to know little about
and adherence to the BACP than in the previous year and RASA Services and who left
framework, legislation and an Assessment Officer noted: - newly informed and advised.
Crown Prosecution Guidance
we now provide on-going “Since March I have been much This was also our first month
workshops around this.” busier and have been booking for receiving referrals from
on average 70 appointments Lime Culture for Truth Project
every 30 days. In the last participants.
60 days I have booked 229
appointments, 174 were 3806 Activities Logged
initial assessments, 53 were 62706 minutes in
counselling sessions and 4 were service delivery
support appointments for those
who had requested to complete
an anonymous intelligence form.

“Helped me work through my problems at my own pace and provided me
with the ability to do it on my own in the future if I have a difficult day.”

10

2016

July

Here we go again with quarterly monitoring – a stalking workshop and a module around
and the first week of July was filled with frantic Child Sexual Exploitation. Earlier in the year
updates to records, fervent case summary writing staff and volunteers had had the option of
and reviews of all open cases. Once all updates receiving training in Human Trafficking and
are completed, thanks to our comprehensive, the course was well received.
secure, cloud based database, it is now possible
to download statistical information monthly RASA has an annual schedule of CPD Training
or quarterly as required by the funder or for staff and volunteers. Several modules are
commissioner requesting such. mandatory – child sexual exploitation, safeguarding
for both adults and children and supporting
Funders requirements adult survivors of child abuse. Staff or volunteers
are complex and identifying gaps in knowledge are welcome to
varied so to be advise the Training Lead and appropriate specialist
certain of capturing trainers will be sourced to deliver such modules.
everything required
– not just for service July saw a moderate increase in clients – of 10%
delivery but also to on the previous year with measured increases
be able to effectively across all referring agencies, the only marked
report such activity, increase being those from the Merseyside Police
RASA collects a huge Unity Team and Adult Social Services.
amount of information
and stores it all The Community Engagement Officer completed
securely, for download Protecting Our Children training at “Our House”
as required. in Wirral and received excellent feedback. She
has been booked in to deliver the training to
All RASA staff and volunteers are responsible, new residents.
not just for the work carried out with clients – but
also for recording that work and the outcomes. The ISVA Team witnessed several successful
We believe that the second-best thing we can prosecutions this month, including several in which
do for any client – is record the first best... the the perpetrator pleaded guilty at the last minute.
activity carried out with or for them. This is often one positive effect of successful ISVA
support. One success included a retrial of a case
July saw Truth Project referrals continue and first introduced to RASA in 2014. Effective, qualified
increase as more individuals engaged with and experienced ISVA input ensured the client
the IICSA. remained fully engaged throughout both trials
and beyond.
Meanwhile the RASA Training Lead continued to
deliver CPD Training for RASA staff and volunteers. 3176 Activities Logged 53202
In July several sessions were delivered including minutes in service delivery

“RASA is good because whenever I need to talk to someone I can, and I talk to her about
it and she gives me advice and encourages me emotionally. When I get challenges, I feel
free to contact her. She has told me many encouraging words, encouraged me so much.

Helped me with information, finding services, like college. It’s good to have someone
who cares about us. She calls us to see how we are doing.”

11

2016

August

August 16 saw an increase As expected during school holidays, many
in referrals of 45% on the counsellors reported an increase in ineffective
previous year, with the appointments – appointments cancelled at short
biggest increase coming notice due to childcare needs. While this can
from Police and Unity Team be frustrating, it is also understandable, and
Sources. It was also the counsellors make good use of such freed-up
month in which a large time to complete paperwork and ensure their
number of referrals were cases are fully filed on the RASA database.
received from the Rainbow
Centre Alder Hey – The At such times, assessment and counselling
Children’s SARC, due to enhanced partnership waiting lists increase, but this is generally a
work with the Children’s Service. “seasonal” effect and levels out once the
schools return from holiday.
August was also an extremely busy month for the
Truth Project, and counsellors and support workers August saw a jump in successful prosecutions
were in demand to maintain full cover. RASA Staff in court – successful through guilty pleas and
and Contracted Staff provided support workers in effectively supported cases that lead to guilty
and counsellors for the project. This work included verdicts. ISVA attendance in court is demonstrated
making initial contact with the participant, carrying by the steady engagement rate with clients in
out risks and needs assessments, being present the month, despite counselling hours reducing.
on the day for support should it be required and
ensuring at least one follow up call was made 3384 Activities Logged 51842
following the participants interview. minutes in service delivery

ISVA Cases In Year 2016-17

450 Liverpool Sefton
400
350
300
250
200
150
100

50
0
Wirral

Cases handled in year Reported to police

“One to one sessions helped me to express myself and focus on the problems which
were affecting me closely. Counsellor was a good listener, polite, compassionate and
enthusiastic. I looked forward each week to attend my sessions and I reflected about

it throughout the week.”

12

2016

September

By September, client knowledge of her specialism an Interchange Community
numbers were rising, through attending SAP training Research Project Student to
new referrals were still - a structured group support analyse our outcomes data.
on the increase and programme for children and Our student had selected our
waiting lists were growing young people. It is intended research project from a shortlist
as a consequence. that this will be offered as an of 250 and her remit was to look
additional programme for teens. specifically at the impact the
Ideally, RASA wants clients to work we do, and the change
be assigned a counsellor at the Good things were also it makes to someone’s life. It
earliest possible opportunity after happening within the Sefton was an exciting prospect.
assessment and we are aware ISVA Service this month –
that extended waiting times are demonstration of how good RASA was delighted that our
not effective – or safe. To handle partnership work can make Children’s ISVA won the first
the waiting lists effectively and all the difference to a client’s ever Vicky Bardsley Award
to ensure those keen to attend outcome in court. (Lime Culture) for - Outstanding
were able to do so, RASA Achievement by an ISVA
Assessment Team developed a “One exciting thing I want to supporting Children and Young
new process for handling non- shout about is the setting up People. RASA is eternally
attendances. If a client failed a recorded meeting with the thankful for her determination
to attend a session without a police and family of a young and innovative approaches
reason being given, RASA offers person’s case. This was done to working with children and
a further appointment as soon before a re-trial and had the young people.
as possible. If that appointment positive outcome of the police
is also missed, RASA will advise understanding the faults in the This Limelight Award celebrates
the client by mail that their file is previous trial, with then the the achievements of an individual
to be closed, but will also advise actions to improve for the ISVA supporting children
them that should they wish to re-trial. The family received and young people who has
re-engage they will be welcome support then from the officer demonstrated commitment,
to return. in charge of the case and passion and exceptional
her manager at the re-trial. encouragement and support
This has ended the former Communication hadn’t been for their young clients. Judges
situation of having open cases productive before this meeting. will be looking for evidence of
on file when the client is not So I feel it really assisted to outstanding contribution to their
ready or able to fully engage. build bridges in communication.” role as an ISVA.
A downside will be an apparent
increase in disengaged client In September RASA heard that 4080 Activities Logged
cases, but it is a more efficient we had been successful in our 64087 minutes in
way of working and “keeps application to have service delivery
things flowing”

During this month, The Children’s
Services Manager enhanced her

“How can you improve on excellence?”

13

2016

October

In October 2016, the and how to manage that “It has opened my eyes”
first full ABC accredited trauma effectively.
counselling course was “Felt able to ask questions
run at the RASA Education The Training Lead worked and speak openly”
Centre in Bootle. hard to produce the necessary
training materials which were “We can use this information
This was an exciting fully accredited for use in early to put things in to practice
development. The Education 2016. This first course – a Level for any situations which we
Centre was born out of the need two course in Counselling come across”
for good quality counsellors, Concepts was fully subscribed
trained in working with trauma. and well received by all who In October we had ethical
Throughout the recruitment of attended. It was made available approval for the project proposal
counsellors to support the work to internal and external trainees, ‘Measuring the outcome of
of the Truth Project, RASA staff many of whom immediately counselling at RASA Merseyside’
had been shocked at the lack signed up for the Level three RASA asks all appropriate
of understanding of the trauma course Counselling Skills. clients to use Patient Health
associated with sexual violence Questionnaire (PHQ 9) and
Further Protecting our Children Generalized Anxiety Disorder
workshops were delivered to (GAD 7) to measure the impact
Polish speaking adults at Wirral of our counselling services. We
Change. It was well received, and have now asked our student
we hope that further funding will to interrogate the anonymous
allow us to repeat the workshops PHQ9 and GAD7 data we hold
in other languages. Comments and produce a report on the
from participants include; findings highlighting the impact
our intervention has made and
“It has helped me to make sense identifying trends.
of recent events and makes me
feel more confident to be able 4074 Activities Logged
to protect children in the future” 75484 minutes in
service delivery

Presenting Issues 2016-17

Rape
Sexual Assault
Domestic Violence
Recent CSA
Non-Recent CSA
Third Party Supporter

“I will miss the counselling and feeling listened to.”
14

2016

November

Following a complete review of the budget for complexity of survivors entering the service. The
the second half of the year, RASA recruited ten Sefton ISVA works in parallel with all relevant and
sessional counsellors this month, contracted to appropriate agencies to ensure full and holistic care
March 2017. This had the immediate effect of is available for the needs of the complex client.
reducing waiting times, and in extreme cases,
waiting times dropped from 9-12 months to 8-12 RASA Engagement Worker delivered “Protecting
weeks. The increase in sessional counsellors Our Children” to 4 adult females in Wirral with
meant that the centres were bustling with activity positive outcomes for all. To enhance the
all day, which created a very positive atmosphere. engagement of minority groups and individuals
Client engagement immediately increased with she spent time with the Wirral Change Partnership
the introduction of sessional counsellors – likely and took part in an event called ‘Learn and Get
due to the short waiting time. Pampered’ at Kuumba Imani with Savera UK and
WHISC. RASA organised a discussion called
During this quarter, Merseyside Police were ‘We Are Women’ speaking about positives and
regularly using our Wirral Centres to allow clients negatives of being a woman and how simply being
to watch their recorded interviews in comfortable a woman united the group. She also joined the
familiar surroundings. monthly MRANG drop -ins to enhance engagement
of the attending women in need of RASA services.
In West Wirral, the ambiance of the centre and
its unique identity, encourages clients to disclose Within the ISVA Team, Informed choice sessions
sexual violence from their past, through gaining increased. This is where a survivor can request
trust and confidence in the centre’s ability to handle a one-off appointment with an ISVA to talk them
it. Two such cases were recorded in month and a through the reporting process to give them an
third individual stated that she gained comfort from informed choice about whether or not they wish
knowing she was not alone and could disclose her to report to the police. As a result, several clients
situation when she was ready to so do. have gone on to report and receive ISVA support.

The Sefton ISVA Service noted an increase in 4656 Activities Logged 94547
referrals from mental health and drug and alcohol minutes in service delivery
services this month and a consequent increase in

Age of New Referrals 2016-17

1,050
900
750
600
450
300
150
0

0- 5 6- 12 13 - 17 18 - 25 26 - 55 56 plus Not Stated

“RASA has given me my voice back.”

15

2016

December

As always, there was a drop in new and plea hearings and cases have been
referrals in December. This is due in part to scheduled for trial in 2017.

there being fewer working days in the month and Activity within the Children’s Service also
a natural aversion to seeking support in a month slowed in December as school holidays
that is traditionally celebrated within the family. changed availability and family celebrations
took precedence over regular appointments.
RASA completed the final
sessions with participants of Counselling continued in all centres until centre
the Truth Project at the start of closure on 23rd. During the holiday period staff
December as the contract had respond to referrals on a rota basis and use
run its course and ended on standard non-holiday days to complete paperwork
22nd. Feedback received from and update records electronically. This ensures
participants and from IICSA that a New Year can begin without a backlog in
was positive. administration and reporting.

“Over 100 sessions have been conducted in 3427 Activities Logged 62929
Liverpool since 29 June, some of the team helped minutes in service delivery
with Darlington and some of the team were
pivotal in the pilot. The team have also been
fantastic with supporting those who dropped
out too with assurance calls. They will be much
missed, a hard act to follow and the feedback
from participants has been consistently high.”

Activity level in the ISVA Team remained high in
December as many court cases were scheduled for
the month. Most of the hearings were preliminary

ISVA Cases - Outcomes Following Police Report 2016-17

160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20

0

Client Unknown Case NFA by Referred on Ongoing Case
Police/CPS or moved post investigation went/going
withdrew from outcome client
reporting to court
prosecution did not engage

Wirral Liverpool Sefton

“RASA has been the light at the end of a very dark tunnel, thank you.”
16

201 7

January

In January Following successful completion be inappropriate to celebrate
2107 RASA and filing of the 2016 accounts the 30th anniversary at this time
Education and annual report, and with and requested deferment of
delivered the current statistical information the funding from Big Lottery –
second Level available, RASA was now able Celebrate until later in the year.
two course in to make funding applications
Counselling to the so named “Tampon Tax In parallel with the need to
Concepts. Fund” – a fund set up to support potentially reduce services in the
This course was fully subscribed, projects working with women – coming year, was the dramatic
and participants were an particularly those from minority upturn in new referrals in
even balance of internal and groups and those in a vulnerable January. Referrals in month were
external professionals seeking situation. Sadly, as is so often 58% higher than in the same
development. In parallel, RASA the case, the sexual violence month two years previously and
ran the first Level three course sector was poorly represented once again assessment workers
in Counselling Skills. It was in the allocation of this fund and and counsellors were stretched
fully subscribed and attracted neither of RASA’s applications to capacity handling the new
a significant group of external were successful. influx of clients. Apart from
professionals. Witness Care and The Rainbow
This left a huge gap in the Centre – all referring agencies
RASA was also advised of budget for the year ahead as made substantially more new
their re-commissioning by the many long-term funding streams referrals in this month. Frontline
Merseyside PCC to lead the were coming to an end on activities surged in number and
project to deliver the ageless 31-03-17. This lead to a full all staff, sessional workers and
genderless service to survivors Business Review in month and volunteers were hard pressed to
of sexual violence across RASA reluctantly concluded manage, while also ensuring all
Merseyside. This would be, as that many staff posts, and all quarter end reports were filed on
in previous years, carried out sessional posts would need to time. It was a challenging month.
in partnership with our sister become redundant at year end.
centre RASASC in St Helens, Such was the severity of the 4563 Activities Logged
and SAVERA UK. situation, RASA decided it would 69781 minutes in
service delivery

Frontline Activities Logged

5000
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500

“Very welcoming, love the shop look, very relaxed.”

17

2017

February

February was at an all time high, grant funders an individual survivor to
a bit of a sad too, were tightening their belts, understand such delay and
month as the limiting their grant giving and it is the role of the ISVA to
organisation being very selective about what explain it and reassure.
went through projects they chose to fund.
the process Just over 17% cases reported
of pre-redundancy talks and With high hopes and the to the police in the year (84%
discussions, all the while backing of two supportive Local ISVA cases were reported)
delivering the expected high Authority Commissioners, RASA resulted in No Further Action
level of service, with a smile. made substantial applications being taken by either Police
Referral levels were 24% higher to The Transformation Fund or CPS. This too can be
than the year before with – the fund to fill the gaps left disappointing but following
police and mental health by the withdrawal of several discharge from the ISVA Service,
services demonstrating top government funding streams clients can be directly referred
referral numbers. for violence against women and into the RASA Counselling
girls focussed organisations. Service to come to terms with
The key factor in this situation such a result and to start to
was the termination of several The ISVA Team remained move forward with their lives
long running grants – all at the extremely busy but most of despite not achieving criminal
same time. Efforts had been the court appearances and justice. A majority of ISVA clients
made to extend or replace appointments involved planning accept such a referral whether
such funding, over the previous for trials much later in 2017. or not they achieve a favourable
months, but with demand being Several cases were heard in outcome in court. It is for many
court in the month though and all the most appropriate follow on
ended in guilty pleas or verdicts. in their recovery pathway.
One case went back to the
police for further investigation 3547 Activities Logged
after numerous new disclosures 66659 minutes in
were made. It is often hard for service delivery

ISVA cases in or awaiting court as at 31-03-2017

50 Liverpool Sefton
40
30
20
10

0
Wirral

Not guilty Guilty Awaiting trial

“Being believed and not judged was very important. My ISVA spoke slowly and clearly - which
helped, as English not first language. Felt very supported - increased my confidence. Very
professional. Was put in contact with MSB solicitors - who have been extremely helpful.”

18

201 7

March

March 2017 We supported 743 ISVA clients with 175 cases
saw the highest scheduled or proceeded through court. We
number of new supported 90 ISVA clients to achieve positive
referrals ever outcomes from the Criminal Justice System. We
recorded in worked with 396 children under the age of 18
any month. and had been there for their parents or carers
It represented when asked.
a 47% increase on the previous year. The main
increase was due to a spike in referrals from And we had reported effectively on all client cases,
Merseyside Police Unity Team, followed closely detailing outcomes as dictated by contract.
by an increase in third party referrals by family
and friends of the survivor. This indicates an We had scrimped and saved on areas we could cut
increase in confidence in the effectiveness to take on sessional counsellors and reduce waiting
of RASA Services and is welcomed. times. We all worked extra hours to fill gaps – and
our amazing volunteer team logged over 500 hours
It had been a busy year – the busiest – and best in counselling, support, admin and helpline time.
funded ever and while we knew we were going to
face challenges in the year ahead, we were able to And still we ended the year aware we would need
celebrate the fact that we had seen 2038 separate to cut staffing, distribute even more work roles to
cases and logged a total of 46,051 separate our remaining staff and fight harder than ever to
activities with clients over 379 working weeks. achieve full funding for the year ahead.

We had made over 30 safeguarding referrals in In the final month of the year we mailed appeals to
the year, had referred to more than 40 sperate 34 separate grant giving trusts, appealing for last
organisations working in parallel with ourselves. minute support before redundancies were made.
We had attended events in every region of the We received just four responses, from organisations
boroughs we serve, raising awareness, sharing desperate to help, but fully subscribed.
best practice, opening doors to excluded groups
and individuals. In total we made 90 separate funding applications
in this year. Nineteen responses were received
We had engaged at National Level with government explaining over-subscribed demand, sixty-seven
agencies, with the IICSA, the Ministry of Justice were deemed timed out when no response was
and The Home Office. We had assisted with made – and four were successful – things just
individuals from 46 different nationalities – often got tough!
employing translations services to do so. We had
extended the Children’s Service to meet demand. But after reading through the quotes from
We had delivered fourteen training courses for staff, survivors this year – we are ready to take on
volunteers and external agencies. We had started the challenge – for next year’s new referrals.
the journey for new counsellors, delivering Levels
2 and 3 of the counselling course. 4079 Activities Logged 81235
minutes in service delivery

“RASA helped me see that I wasn’t “allegedly” raped, and I didn’t “report” being raped
like hospital and GP records state. Being supported unconditionally and being believed

has been so helpful in getting me through this.”

19

Monitoring Our Impact

Much of the work we do with clients is difficult Disorder (GAD) and Patient Health
to measure; it is hard to quantify the benefits of Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Our counsellors
being able to feel safe and supported in talking take scores at assessment and then at
about rape and sexual abuse, often for the first regular intervals to record progress.
time, to women who believe you and empower
you to take back control of your life. This is what RASA also uses the Rape Crisis England and
our clients tell us week in, week out. Wales “Before and After” questionnaires which
cover further measurable characteristics of anxiety
The impact of services provided is measured and depression as well as other indicators of
through the widely-used General Anxiety improved well-being and self-esteem.

Summary of client-reported outcomes upon leaving RASA counselling and support:

Service Evaluation 16-17 15-16
97.50% 95%
I have a better understanding of my situation and I know what I can
do about it 95.25% 93%
I understand more about how the sexual violence I have experienced
has affected me 95.50% 89%
I have been able to decide what to do about the sexual violence
I have experienced 95% 93%
I have been able to make decisions about my future 100% 100%
I have been able to access the support I need 94.25% 95%
I am taking good care of myself (e.g. eating well, exercising) 95.50% 92%
I have positive coping skills/strategies for taking care of myself emotionally 95.50% 93%
I feel able to make everyday decisions 94.75% 85%
I feel confident in myself 59.50% 51%
I have been able to engage with the criminal justice system

After receiving support from our counsellors, many clients What causes rape?
decide to make statements to the police and attempt justice
through the criminal justice system. Most of these clients Revealing clothing
are then referred to our ISVA service for ongoing support. Being intoxicated
Walking home alone
Survivors often bring serious mental health concerns to Flirting
us, with half of all counselling sessions covering suicidal Rapists
feelings, self-harm, depression and anxiety, or low self-
esteem. We continue our multi-agency work alongside
mental health teams to ensure care is effective and suitable
to the clients need. Sexual abuse clients often present
with complex needs, and some clients require medium
to long-term therapeutic work to meet their needs.

“THANK YOU! No words could express what you’ve done
for and with me, so thank you will have to do.”

20

Out and About in 2016 - 17

International Women’s Day at Adelaide House

RASA at ASDA Bootle -
Fundraising - the hard way

21

Staff and Volunteers 2016 - 17

Dedication, 60 10
professionalism
and community volunteer general volunteers
counsellors staffing the help line,
supporting supporting training,

clients taking part in
activism
17

6 staff managing our 6 5
centres and finances,
trustees supporting clients as therapeutic counsellors
overseeing counsellors and ISVAs, supervisors, supporting
governance for The Truth
training and counselling staff
much more and volunteers Project

RASA is committed to providing the
highest quality service for victims and
survivors. That’s why we invest in training
and continuing professional development
for both staff and volunteers. Staff and
volunteers alike are recruited under safer
recruitment principles, including enhanced
DBS checks.

All new staff and volunteers take a four-day
training course and induction programme,
including modules on safeguarding for adults
and children, managing clients with suicidal
feelings, and an introduction to sexual
violence support.

22

The Year Ahead

Plans, aims and ambitions for 2017/ 18

At RASA we are constantly looking
ahead to the next challenge, and
finding new ways to make an impact.

In 2017/18 we will :  Develop our RASA Education Centre and
deliver Levels 2-4 in Counselling Subjects,
 Continue to provide high quality, professional in an aim to achieve a degree of sustainability,
counselling and ISVA support for all survivors while educating counsellors of the future in
of sexual violence across Merseyside. the effects of and aftercare for, survivors of
sexual violence.
 Reduce our waiting lists and ensure clients are
well cared for while waiting for counselling.  Continue to seek funding for our “Moving On”
Project to reduce dropout rates while awaiting
 Achieve sustainable funding to firmly establish therapy and to empower survivors to move on
and increase capacity of the Sunflowers with their lives, once therapies are complete.
Children’s Service.

Engaging With Commissioners and Funders

Every service and agency in the public and charitable sectors is dealing with financial constraints at
this time. We are committed to actively engaging with commissioners and funders at a stategic level
as best we can to ensure that the services available to victims and survivors of sexual violence are
protected and improved. Our commitment to survivors extends beyond our service, and we will do
all we can to ensure victims and survivors have the services they need for years to come.

23

If you would like to know more about the work
that we do at RASA, if you would like to arrange
to visit one of our centres or if you are looking

for help and support after sexual violence,
please contact us by calling

0151 558 1801

or by visiting our website

www.rasamerseyside.org