"The world is awakening" to abuse

Friday 30 December 2016

A Jersey rape charity says "the world is awakening" to the sheer number of people who have suffered abuse, thanks to survivors speaking out.

Jersey Action Against Rape says the football players who have been highlighting the long-term trauma suffered by the sport's child abuse survivors has done a lot to protect children in the future and to bring perpetrators to justice.

Jersey Action Against Rape was set up at the beginning of 2015 by Cassidy McIntosh who was raped by a family friend in 2012. 

They say they have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from Islanders and the demand for their services has grown over the last two years. In 2016, they provided over 900 hours free counselling and the team of volunteers have helped over 500 callers. The New Year will see the charity focusing on providing quality training to their volunteers to make sure survivors of rape and sexual assault have the best support available here.

JAAR has worked closely with Le Rocquier School and Jersey College for Girls talking to pupils about consent and understanding rape and hope to work with other schools around the Island this year.

On Friday 13 January sexualised trauma expert Zoe Lodrick will be giving free talks open to the general public about understanding the  behavior of both the victim and perpetrator of sexual attacks and you can find out more about the talks by emailing here.

The charity held their first Fundraising Ball at the Pomme d’Or Hotel in 2016 and have just announced they will be holding another this year, on 25 March. 

One of the highlights of last year was when four international cricket players - Charlotte Edwards CBE, Lydia Greenway, Kyle Jarvis and Sean Ervine - came over for the charity's inaugural Stumps & Thumps Cricket Event in October. They all left saying they were keen to return to the Island for the 2017 event.

"Our wish for 2017 is for every survivor in Jersey to know we are here for them, we understand how hard it is to ask for help, but we can help heal this trauma. Nobody has to or should ever suffer alone. The positive feedback from survivors who have received JAAR counselling highlights how vital this specialised service is to Jersey.

"Our hopes are to gain permanent funding to bring stability to our charity. We are totally independent with all running costs raised by JAAR and our wonderful supporters. We were very grateful to receive a grant from Lloyds Bank Foundation to help with our running costs for 2016 and 2017."

If you have been affected by rape or sexual assault and would like to speak to someone, call JAAR's helpline on 482800.

You can find out more about the charity here.