Wiltshire charity FearFree launches service for sexual violence victims

Fearfree director of services, Emily Denne, said people of all ages come to the charity for help

A charity that supports abuse victims has launched a new service for people who have suffered sexual violence.

Trowbridge-based FearFree, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is offering support covering domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking and harassment.

The new service includes counselling, peer and group support, and EMDR, a therapy to help people process trauma.

People are able to go straight to the charity or be referred to its services.

Staff at the charity are celebrating it's 30th anniversary

Director of services, Emily Denne, said people of all ages come to the charity for help, with their oldest client being 96-years-old.

"People sometimes don't process trauma for many years, maybe decades," she said.

"We had a gentleman come to us in his 80s talking to us about something that happened when he was a child.

"He said he needed to deal with it before he died."

'Stigma involved'

Some of the therapies can also be used to help children, such as counselling and therapeutic psychoeducational support.

Madelaine Alcock, who works with young people at FearFree, said: "Really awful stuff has happened to these people.

"It's really hard for their parents to know what to do. There is a stigma involved. They can feel very alone.

"It feels like there are greater risks outside of the home - in terms of online abuse and social media."

CEO of FearFree Claire Marshall said the charity is "unusual" in how many issues it covers

FearFree is marking its 30th anniversary this year after starting "in someone's back bedroom", said CEO Claire Marshall.

It began as a project to help single parents in Wiltshire and has grown to offer support across many issues, such as domestic abuse.

Ms Marshall said the charity is "unusual in the respect that we we support victims, perpetrators and children".

The charity's support for perpetrators of abuse can be "tricky" because they need to "acknowledge that they're exhibiting abusive behaviour", she added.

"They have to be willing to participate in this. These are not court-mandated programs."

She said there was a "constant waiting list" for its services.

"There's a lot of people out there, and also a lot of unmet need. It's still quite a secretive thing," added Ms Marshall.

Some of the charity's services are designed to help children

One of their clients, a man they have called "Pete", worked with the charity to stop his abusive behaviour.

He had been with his partner for two decades and had become controlling over money, along with belittling them and using intimidating behaviour.

"Admitting I needed help was one of the lowest points I had, but looking back it's one of the best things I have done," he said.

"It's changed how I react to everything. I relate to my ex-partner better and my relationship with my children is the best it's ever been," he added.

Ms Marshall said programmes for perpetrators were "predominantly very successful" and said working at the charity was a "real privilege".

"The really beautiful thing about the 30th anniversary is we're able to mark the journey people have gone on and that they have a different life now," added Ms Marshall.

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