Manchester comes together with many across the UK to take a stand in Sexual abuse and sexual violence awareness week from 6-12 February.
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week seeks to start conversations about sexual violence and break the silence surrounding abuse.
The aim is to spread the message that sexual violence or sexual abuse is never acceptable and anyone who is a survivor of sexual violence or abuse will be listened to and supported.
How to get involved
Trafford Rape Crisis, Student drop-in
Advice and Response are launching a drop-in with Trafford Rape Crisis and the Students’ Union:
TRC Sexual Abuse and Rape Support Greater Manchester will be holding monthly drop-ins at the Students’ Union Advice Service (first floor of the Student’s Union). You can go to the drop-in for information, advice, support or just someone to talk to about any form of sexual violence, harassment, abuse or rape. This is not a clinical or therapeutic drop-in, simply just a safe space where you can talk to someone who understands sexual violence and has a knowledge of the help available in Greater Manchester. No matter when something happened, you can come along; If you are confused about exactly what happened, you can come along; and if you are worried about a friend or loved one, you can also come along.
Drop-in dates:
- Tuesday 7th February, 12pm – 2pm
- Tuesday 7th March, 12pm – 2pm
- Tuesday 4th April, 12pm – 2pm
- Tuesday 2nd May, 12pm – 2pm
Confidentiality: Trafford Rape Crisis (TRC) is an external service and independent of the University of Manchester. Their drop-in service is a confidential service and you do not need to disclose your personal details to them. If you do share personal details at the drop-in they will usually only share information with the University or other external third parties with your consent. If TRC do not have your consent they will not release information about you to third parties unless they have significant concerns about your wellbeing and/or safety, or the wellbeing and/or safety of other members of the University community.
Chat to Manchester Student Homes about student safety in Fallowfield and Withington
As part of Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week and Manchester Hate Crime Awareness Week, Manchester Student Homes will be talking about student safety in Fallowfield and Withington. They’ll have information about how to report incidents and support services available to students. Find out more about Manchester Student Homes on their website – www.manchesterstudenthomes.com.
- 10am-4pm, Wednesday 8 February, Sainsbury’s Fallowfield
- 10am-4pm, Friday 10 February, Withington Library
Finding support
Advice and Response – A central support service at the University of Manchester that provide holistic, trauma-informed support to students who have experienced any form of gender-based violence, harassment or hate. The team is made up of specialist caseworkers who provide confidential, practical, and emotional support to students. You can contact Advice and Response via their Report + Support platform.
Mental Health & Counselling Service – The University’s team of professional counsellors, psychotherapists and mental health workers offers confidential support.
The St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Manchester Rape Crisis both have Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA’s) who are trained to look after the needs of a survivor of rape or sexual violence to ensure they receive the best possible care and understanding. Trafford Rape Crisis also offer support to Survivors, through different services such as trauma-informed counselling and their helpline service. Contact them and ask to speak to an advisor in confidence.
Survivors Manchester offers a range of services for men (including trans and non-binary individuals) who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives.
Galop is a charity that supports lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer people affected by sexual violence.