We鈥檝e supported a joint letter urging the Government to guarantee access to therapy for all survivors of child sexual abuse, following the Home Secretary鈥檚 announcement to implement three of the recommendations from the 2022 independent public inquiry.

The letter, sent by The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse Changemakers (IICSA), of which we are members, welcomes the progress made on:

鈥樷�andatory reporting; delivery of a performance framework and more focus on online abuse and exploitation.鈥�

Significant concerns on lack of focus

However, it goes on to express 鈥榮ignificant concerns鈥� about the lack of focus and action on what survivors really want 鈥� mental health support services for those affected and senior Government level representation.

includes a response from a survivor:

鈥淚f you strip back the announcements to the core, there wasn鈥檛 any movement on increasing or making more available specific support services for those who have been sexually abused as a child (which remains a key recommendation from IICSA).

"I鈥檓 just not sure we are actually any further. I feel like survivors, are once again, being spoken about and on behalf of without anyone listening to what is needed.鈥�

Third sector charities face huge funding cuts

Our Child, Young People and Families Lead Jo Holmes said:

鈥淲hile absolutely welcoming progress made on three of the 20 recommendations within the IICSA report, we must continue to hear the many voices of adult survivors of child sexual abuse who consistently stress the need for investment in therapeutic counselling services that are accessible at times when they most need additional support.

鈥淲e regularly hear of sexual abuse charities, or other third sector providers who lead on much of this work, facing huge funding cuts with the infrastructure around accessing therapeutic support often being a postcode lottery鈥欌��.

"One such service, facing imminent closure in March 2025 due to cuts in funding is Sheffield-based BACP-accredited service Vida which has offered trauma-focused therapy for almost 30 years."

Third sector under resourced and oversubscribed

Vida鈥檚 Clinical Lead, Jane McLaren says 鈥淢uch of the essential recovery work with survivors of domestic and sexual abuse is provided by the third sector, which is under resourced and oversubscribed. Closing a vital service such as Vida Sheffield, will only increase the demand on the NHS.

"This situation leaves survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, who are already disadvantaged and disproportionately affected, without accessible support.鈥�

We鈥檙e committed to working with the IICSA changemakers group and support their call for all 20 recommendations from the 2022 Jay report to be implemented as soon as possible.

You can read more about the IICSA letter in 听听

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