Online support for sexual abuse victims

People who have experienced sexual abuse in Cheshire are now more likely to access support thanks to a new anonymous online support service.

Launched last autumn by Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service, Survivors Livechat is providing confidential online support to survivors of rape and sexual violence across Cheshire two evenings a week.

Every Monday and Wednesday between 6pm-8pm, survivors are able to log onto the service’s website and chat anonymously to a trained support worker who will offer emotional support, information and sign-posting to relevant services.

The service has now been open for 20 sessions and 28 volunteers have received specialist training to deliver the online support. 

Alison Breadon, centre manager of Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service, said: “We’re finding that online services are preferred by a wide range of people; it can be hard to speak on the phone – text or typing is sometimes easier and more anonymous. On our first evening, a survivor contacted us for help and told us that she would not have contacted us that night if it wasn’t for the LiveChat service. Another survivor said it’s really easy to access the service on the go without the pressure of talking to someone face-to-face.”

Alison added: “We were delighted to welcome PCC David Keane to our centre to find out more about the LiveChat service and how it is helping us reach more survivors of sexual violence. We very much appreciate the support of the PCC in helping us deliver and promote this new service and for his enthusiasm in encouraging new ways to meet the needs of survivors here in Cheshire.”

The Survivors Livechat service can be accessed alongside the existing telephone support by visiting www.csass.org.uk