Menu:
FAQ’s
- What happens if I report what’s happened to the Police?
- See reporting to the police page
- Which areas do you cover?
- We cover Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees
- Do you have an age limit for clients?
- We work with anyone over the age of 14
- Are your counselors qualified?
- Our counselors are qualified and are members of the BACP
- Will I see a male or female counsellor?
- We have both male and female counselors available, the choice is yours.
- How many counselling sessions can I have?
- We do not put a limit on the number of sessions available; we will work with you at your own pace and review your progress at regular intervals.
- Will a worker come to see me at home?
- the ISVA will make an appointment for a time that’s convenient to you and come to visit you in your home or you can come to our offices. Counselling takes place at either of our venues, the counselors do not make home visits
- Where are your offices?
- We have 2 venues. One is near the James Cook Hospital and the other is in North Ormseby Health Village.
- Do I have to be referred to you by my G.P?
- You can refer yourself by contacting us and making an appointment, you do not have to be referred by your GP or any other agency, If you have reported to the Police or visited Helen Britton House, you may have been asked if you would like support from our agency, if you said that you would, then you will be referred to us by either the Police Officer in charge of you case or by the staff at H.B.H, but you can still contact us personally if you wish to.
- How long does it take to get an appointment with a counsellor?
- We try to get you an initial assessment within a week of your first contact with us
- Can I email you?
- We offer support by the ISVA team by email, you can contact them on deborah@wsnsupport.org or jan@wsnsupport.org
Myth's and Fact’s
- MYTH:
The police won't believe me
- FACT: The Police take all reports of rape and sexual assault seriously, irrespective of whether you are male, female, young or old, or how long ago the attack occurred.
- MYTH:
Most rapists are strangers
- FACT: Because the media has to give anonymity in media appeals for witnesses, many people think that most rapes are undertaken by strangers in dark alleyways late at night. The truth is that in most cases the victim already knew their attacker; it may have been a friend, an acquaintance, someone they just met, or even a family member.
- MYTH:
Male rape doesn’t happen
- FACT: Men can also be victims of sexual assault and rape.
- MYTH:
An individual was raped because of what they were wearing and how they were acting
- FACT: How an individual is dressed or how they were acting (e.g. acting flirtatiously or dancing provocatively), does not mean they deserves to be the victim of an act of violence.
- MYTH:
All rape victims will have visible injuries like cuts and bruises and torn clothes
- FACT: The fact that there is no visible evidence of violence does not mean that a victim has not been assaulted or raped. Victims are often threatened with violence or weapons, and they take decisions to limit the harm being done to them. This may include limiting their resistance due to the fear of further violence. Shock or fear of the attacker might also cause victims to freeze during an attack
- MYTH:
A rape victim always needs to say NO to show they don't consent
- FACT: We know that due to shock and fear some individuals will ‘freeze’ during an attack, Not saying NO does not mean that you were willing.
- MYTH:
Men who are sexually assaulted by another man must be homosexual
- FACT: Sexual assault is an act of violence, it’s about power, control or domination of another person, rather than a sexual attraction to one specific gender
- MYTH:
Male rape is a gay crime
- FACT: Research indicates that the majority of sexual offences committed on men are carried out by heterosexual men.
- MYTH:
Women frequently lie about rape
- FACT: A major Home Office research project in 2000-2003 concluded that only three per cent of rape allegations were false. In fact, it is thought that only one fifth of actual rapes are reported to the police.
- MYTH:
Rape cannot happen in a relationship or marriage
- FACT: Rape or sexual assault can occur in a relationship, whether the relationship is between two straight or gay partners. Consent must be given every time two people engage in sexual contact. Sex without consent is rape.
- MYTH:
Men are less affected by sexual assault than women, so don’t need help and support
- FACT: Rape and sexual assault are traumatic for both men and women, all survivors should be able to access appropriate help and support.
