Improvements so victims and survivors of domestic and child sexual abuse get better access to therapy are a ‘positive and much-needed way forward.’

We hope this will end the postcode lottery that people face when trying to access this vital help.

The government has announced a range of measures within its Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy.

Victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence across England will be able to access enhanced support from the NHS through new referral services.

Trauma-informed care

And child sexual abuse survivors will have improved access to specialist, trauma-informed care in one place as the multi-agency Child House model expands to all NHS regions in England, backed by up to £50 million.

Each Child House model is designed around the child's needs and includes specially trained staff who understand trauma. Services include therapeutic support, advocacy and ongoing care that continues long after initial intervention

Jo Holmes, our Designated Safeguarding Lead, said:

“This is a positive announcement that represents a much-needed way forward to ensure abuse survivors can access the therapeutic support they need. It’s welcome news for both child victims of sexual abuse and adult survivors.

Postcode lottery

“Resourcing the work on a national level should end the current postcode lottery around accessing longer term specialist counselling and therapeutic provision.

“It will also have a positive effect on commissioned specialist service pathways providing therapeutic support, including counselling for victims and survivors, so will impact the specialist counselling workforce in this area. This is particularly crucial when some specialist services are struggling in the current climate.

“Expanding the international recognised Child House model to other geographical areas has long been needed with police, social workers, health staff and therapists working in one child friendly ‘home like’ location.

“This multi-disciplinary child centred approach helps to minimise the amount of times a child is required to tell their story, which can be retraumatising for victims of sexual violence and abuse.”

Fundamental shift in mindset

Our member Nour Norris OBE is a counsellor, psychotherapist and domestic abuse consultant, who attended an event at Downing Street this month for discussions with the government on the VAWG strategy.

Speaking about the government announcement, she said: “Campaigning for funded therapy has always been about prevention, not just recovery. For children affected by abuse, access to timely, specialist therapeutic support can be life-shaping. Through sustained advocacy, including work with the Home Office, there has been a consistent call not only for funding to be secured, but for a fundamental shift in mindset so that mental health is recognised as central to safeguarding and early intervention. When mental health is taken seriously within safeguarding systems, it becomes a powerful tool for prevention and protection.”

Campaigning

BACP’s campaigned as part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) changemakers group additional resources to work with victims and survivors, following the recommendations of the inquiry.

We’ve also worked collaboratively with the Keep Counselling Confidential campaign so victims and survivors can feel more confident about coming forward for therapy.

We’ve recently met with Jess Asato MP, who has this week been announced as the government's VAWG Adviser on health.

The government has also announced that a new national NHS initiative will ensure there are dedicated referral services for women and girls affected by violence and abuse in every area of England by 2029.

This Steps to Safety initiative will connect patients to specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence services within their local area through their GP. Training will be offered to GP practice staff in all regions so they can better identify and respond to domestic abuse and sexual violence.