ANNEXE F: RAPE CRISIS REFERRAL PATHWAY TEMPLATE
RESPONDING TO DISCLOSURES OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE: Best practice evidence from Rape Crisis South London
EMPOWERMENT IN PRACTICE
When anyone experiences a sexual violation, in that moment all of their choices have been stripped away because of what someone else chose to do.
For this reason it is crucial that as a worker that you create a safe environment where the person disclosing is able to make their own choices and decisions about what they would like to do next.
Your role is to explore the support options available, without telling someone what they should do, or acting on their behalf without their explicit consent.
CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
LISTEN: Don’ t interrupt or finish sentences. Concentrate on what they are saying, not what you are going to say. Relate back to them what you have heard, so that you are clear and s / he can clarify anything s / he said.
HONEST: Be transparent about procedures such as confidentiality and safeguarding. If you do not know the answer to a question be honest and, if you can, find out later rather than make something up.
EMPATHETIC: Try to avoid‘ sympathetic’ responses such as‘ I am sorry for you’ instead reframe by using empathetic language such as‘ that sounds like it was really frightening’.
ACKNOWLEDGE: Validate what you have been told by letting the person know you understand how difficult it can be to talk and you’ re glad they felt able to speak with you.
NON JUDGEMENTAL: Do not offer advice, opinions or judgement. Avoid‘ Why’ questions and instead try to reframe using‘ How?‘ What?’ and‘ Where?’ It is important always that you come from a position of belief and not one of criticism.
EMPOWERMENT: Remember, the person in front of you is the expert in themselves. This means whatever they did to survive and cope since has worked. Focus on their strengths and gently challenge feelings of selfblame. It is important that the person you are supporting is in control of the process.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
When did the assault take place?
If recent, is the person in any physical pain?
Are they safe right now?
What do they need from you at this moment?
Key Considerations:
Any notes taken on what the survivor says about the assault could impact on a subsequent police investigation- ensure they are factual and based on who, what, when and where questions and not your own assumptions.
There is no one size fits all response to a disclosure of sexual violence, as everyone’ s experience and response will be individual. Trauma impacts in different ways, and people may respond differently to how you may expect.
It is important to come from a place of belief and not make assumptions, or cast judgements on what you think has happened. Supporting them in their decisions and taking action if necessary is the most important part of your response.
If assault within hours: Advise that eating, drinking, teeth brushing, smoking, showering, urinating, defecating can impact on forensic evidence being gathered. In reality it’ s likely s / he may have done some of these things already – reassure this is natural in response to the trauma experienced.