Self Referral is here in Fife
Monday 4th April was a momentous day for anyone in Fife who has experienced rape or sexual assault, it is now possible to self refer for a forensic examination without having to first report to the police or other healthcare professional to access a Sexual Assault Response Co-ordination Service (SARCS). SARCS will keep this evidence for a period of 26 months, in case people want to tell the police at a later date.
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted within the last 7 days you can access a forensic examination by calling 800 148 88 88. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles and further information is available here www.nhsinform.scot/sarcs
Here at FRASAC we can also help you to access this service and provide support, guidance and advice with the Criminal Justice system, please do call us on 01592 642336 if you need support during office hours. We can also provide free, confidential longer term support should you need it. The Rape Crisis Helpline is also available every day between the hours of 5pm and midnight and can also provide information on self referral, they can be reached on 08088 01 03 02.
We’re delighted that self referral is finally here, it will provide survivors with time to consider their own physical and emotional health and wellbeing and get the support they need for without the pressure of having to report to the police within a very short timescale.
Further information on self referral can be found here.
Do reach out to FRASAC or Rape Crisis Scotland if you need support with self referral, we are here for you we believe you.
Not just a footballing decision
There has been much written and spoken in the last week regarding Raith Rovers and their signing of David Goodwillie. As noted in FRASAC’s previous statements and those of Rape Crisis Scotland we are pleased the club have acknowledged they ‘got it wrong’ and hope they now have some understanding of the depth of feeling of both the local and wider community around the issue of violence against women.
It has been fantastic to see how many people within the club, its supporters and the public both within and outwith Fife felt the need to stand up and be counted. This gives real hope that whilst there is still a long way to go when we come together we can, and do make a real difference.
We’d like to thank everyone who had contacted or messaged us to offer their support, some of you asked about making a donation and we’re delighted our new platform is now up and running. You can make a donation to FRASAC via our website at https://www.frasac.org.uk/ and click the Donate button or look for us on Just Giving at https://justgiving.com/frsac
Our long term support services have been closed to new referrals, with a few exceptions, for some time now due to the length of our waiting list. We are pleased to be reopening to all new referrals as from Monday 14th February.
So if you’ve been affected by the issues raised this last week, whether you’ve sought help in the past or never talked to anyone please do get in touch if we can help. You can do so by calling us on 01592 642336 or emailing info@frasac.org.uk.
FRASAC AGM 2021
The FRASAC AGM was once again held on 1st October once again online . The occasion brought together our Board, staff team and members to reflect the year April 2020 to March 2021, such an unprecedented time for all of us.
Mairi our Service Manager spoke about the huge challenges of running services during Covid including a move to online and telephone support to ensure clients continued to receive their valuable support. We were also delighted to hear from Zoe our Crisis & Early Intervention worker who spoke about this vital service which started during this difficult year.
We are hugely grateful for the feedback provided by clients, which helps to inform and improve the service we provide and this year's Annual Report once again focuses on this feedback. Huge thanks to Alison for the wonderful artwork which adorns the front of this document. You are welcome to download the Annual Report from our Organisational Documents page, we hope you enjoy reading it.
FRASAC are pausing in taking referrals for long term support
As from Monday 20th September FRASAC will be pausing taking referrals for our long term support services. This pause is to ensure that the best services can continue to be delivered to clients currently in the service and to allow FRASAC time to recruit and train further support staff as we expand our service which will be launched in January 2022.
This expansion of services will assist in addressing the long waiting list that our clients have been experiencing. We will continue to take referrals from anyone who has been assaulted in the last four weeks and for people who have criminal justice needs. If you are currently on our waiting list you will maintain your place, please do keep us up to date with any changes to your contact details or if you no longer require support.
We appreciate this might be difficult, do remember you can access the Rape Crisis Helpline every day between 6pm and midnight by calling 08088 01 03 02. You can also access lots of useful resources including Rape Crisis Scotland leaflets through our website at https://www.frasac.org.uk/about-resources/
Volunteer News from FRASAC
Lindsay, Volunteer Co-ordinator
“We’re delighted to welcome 8 new volunteers to our service. All come with a range of backgrounds and experience and we are lucky to be able to offer more appointments to clients in the evenings. Our volunteers are the backbone of our service and we are lucky to have a great team to assist our staff in supporting clients.”
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