What is the purpose of the group?
The purpose of the group is to find gaps in the 24/7 Support Line service or things that could be working better for survivors.
This feedback is shared with the team that delivers the 24/7 Support Line – and the team then looks at where changes can be made.
Having this input from survivors is really important for making sure that the service is meeting the needs of everyone it's available to.
How can I get involved?
If you're interested in joining the group or would like to find out more, please fill out this form to let us know. Our Outreach and Survivor Engagement Officer, Anna, will then get in touch with more information.
We want to hear from anyone who feels ready to take part – no matter how long ago you experienced sexual violence or abuse.
Other frequently asked questions
-
The group discusses different topics relating to the 24/7 Support Line and looks at ways to make the service better for all survivors.
Topics that the group has previously discussed include:
- Training topics for Support Line operators.
- How to best collect feedback from users of the service.
Some topics may need to be discussed during more than one meeting.
Rape Crisis England & Wales staff will also give the group regular updates about its impact and what is happening with its feedback.
-
The survivor reference group meets once a month for two hours on Zoom, an online meeting space. Members of the group may sometimes need to spend time preparing for these meetings – for example, by doing some reading. Anna, our Outreach and Survivor Engagement Officer, also arranges regular check-ins with group members, either before or after meetings.
We also hold an optional reflective practice space for the group every month. This lasts for one hour.
You can find out more about the reflective practice space in the FAQ 'How will you support me to be involved?' below.
-
You can choose to be rewarded for your time with either a payment by bank transfer or a voucher. This reward will be in line with government benefits and tax and asylum-seeking guidelines. However, you can also choose not to receive anything.
To make sure that this reward for your time is not interpreted as employment by the DWP or HMRC, we will ask you to go through certain processes. You will need to complete these processes before you can start receiving any money or vouchers.
We can also cover any costs you might have for attending group meetings.
-
Every month, we hold an optional group reflective practice space on Zoom. This space lasts for one hour and gives members the chance to think about how they can take part in the group in a safe and productive way.
Topics previously looked at in the space include:
- How to share safely.
- Respectful communication.
We also regularly check in with members in-between meetings, through phone calls, texts or emails.
If you decide to join the group, we will ask you to share the details of someone who can be your emergency contact. We will also help you to think through other people who might form a wider support system for you.
All members of the survivor reference group are encouraged to use the 24/7 Support Line if they need to. And we can also signpost you to other services if needed.
-
The group is made up of about 10-15 people who live across England and Wales and are aged 18 or above. Everyone has experienced sexual violence or abuse at some point in their life (though we ask that people only take part in the group once they feel ready).
The group is mixed gender and members can be of any gender.
Everyone has their own individual experiences and no one in the group is there as a representative of a particular area, community or demographic.
-
No – you don't need to have ever accessed sexual violence or abuse services to join the group. We only ask that you feel ready to take part.
If you're looking for support after sexual violence or abuse, you can contact the 24/7 Support Line or visit the 'Get help' section of our main website, rapecrisis.org.uk.
-
We ask all group members to take part in a check-in and check-out at the start and end of every monthly meeting. For the rest of the meeting, you will usually be in an online breakout room with up to seven other people.
However, if we have smaller groups attending some meetings, then we may choose to keep everyone in the main online meeting space.
