Charity supporting abuse survivors in Bucks issues warning around festive period
Support service for victims of sexual assault and abuse issue warning ahead of Christmas
A sexual assault and abuse support service in Buckinghamshire is issuing a warning ahead of the festive period, as more abuse is expected to be reported.
The Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes (SAASSBMK) sees an increase in demand for their service year-on-year around Christmas.
Abuse can often be found in family settings, and with families spending more time together, there is a concern perpetrators could be committing offences.
For Beki Osborne, CEO of SAASSBMK, it's about making support is made available to victims throughout this time.
She said: "This is the time where survivors need support more than ever before, so as well as our services there is also a 24/7 national helpline which is ran by RapeCrisis in England and Wales."
"What we do every year is we work with the survivors before Christmas to make sure that they are able to keep themselves safe, and that they know where to turn to for support."
"...that can be quite a triggering time for many survivors of any kind of violence but particularly sexual violence."
Some survivors may now be in a safe environment, but as abuse is reported to increase around Christmas, it may be a time where the memory of a traumatic past experience resurfaces.
Ms Osborne said: "We know that, as the year comes to a close, that can be quite a triggering time for many survivors of any kind of violence but particularly sexual violence."
"We know that it can be quite an isolating time and can bring up memories of past experiences."
Although their service closes for a short period of time over Christmas and New Years, the SAASSBMK is working hard to provide help to those who may need it after the holiday.
"We're able to pick back up from the 3rd of January onwards, especially when we know that someone has perhaps got the anniversary of an assault around that time", said Ms Osborne.
Any person who suspects abuse is being encouraged to come forward and help prevent incidents and assaults.