Nexus: Free specialist service for sexual violence victims to end

The only free specialist counselling service for victims of sexual violence in Northern Ireland is to end.

The charity Nexus' contract with the Department of Health (DoH) is ending and there is no free specialist replacement service lined up.

It gets about 200 referrals a month, from GPs, self-referrals or charities like the Rowan Sexual Assault Centre.

The DoH said it was "urgently working on how to replace the counselling services provided by Nexus".

A spokesperson said it was "committed to using the available funding to support people who are victims of sexual abuse," and that it "recognises and understands the need for adequate support service for victims of sexual abuse."

For the last five years, the free support has been offered by Nexus.

The charity has not retained the contract and there has been no process to replace them with another provider.

Victims will now be directed towards more generalised mental health services through their GP.

'Changed the trajectory of my life'

One woman, who was offered 18 weekly sessions with Nexus, told BBC's Evening Extra the service had changed her life.

"I think it's fair to say I was a wreck when I first spoke to Nexus," she told the programme.

"The nature of my circumstances meant it's not something I wanted to speak to family or friends about. I needed professional help.

"I was angry at myself and other people and did not know how to process those emotions - which was manifesting itself in self-destructive behaviour," she said.

"I opted to do my sessions over the phone and was given an ear - someone who would listen to me - not judge me and offer me coping strategies, as well as help me to process those and my complex emotions that I had suppressed," she explained.

"They changed the trajectory of my life - I was in a low place and they helped.

One victim of abuse told the BBC the telephone counselling service had changed her life

"I think people will be so demoralised and heartbroken at this news," she added.

She said that while victims can still pay for Nexus counselling, the free sessions made a huge difference.

'Devastating news'

The chief executive of Nexus, Joanne Barnes said it was "devastating" news.

"The service has been a lifeline - it's not simple counselling, it's specialist - dealing with complex entrenched trauma," she said.

She said sessions focussed on getting people help to process those emotions.

"Often people come to us and want to be believed - often it's the first time they have spoken to anyone or shared that they have guilt, and blame attached.

"Our counsellors help them remove all those negative emotions and help them rebuild their lives," she told the programme.

Nexus' Joanne Barnes said she is devastated

"GPs do sterling work but it can be hard to get an appointment and it is not an appropriate referral method for those individuals," she said.

'Underperformance'

Nexus comes to the end of its second contract extension on 31 March - which had been a total of five years.

"The department did initially start a procurement exercise at the start of the year," she said.

Ms Barnes said staff were "shocked" that there was no replacement.

"We have had discussions with the department around performance," she said.

She said the contract had one target - which was the number of sessions delivered.

She said there had been some disagreement with the DoH around payment when a client does not attend a session.

"They see it has an underperformance so they're not counting them towards sessions delivered," she said.

"Ultimately that has resulted in a cliff edge. If I had known - I would have been looking to better funding processes," she added.

However, she said, through discussions with the DoH, those who had already started treatment would continue to be able to avail of the help for free.

Nexus said it had helped about 7,000 people - 80% of whom are women.

The charity has contacted over 800 people on its waiting list, and almost 300 clients currently in counselling to notify them.

'Waiting lists'

The Armagh GP, Dr Frances O'Hagan said Nexus was an "amazing, specialised" service.

"These patients deserve a service - I am not aware of anywhere else that offers this service," she said.

"It will increase waiting lists with all other referrals and waiting lists are already long," she added.

Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister, who is on the health committee said she was hopeful the minister would be able to re-examine the decision.

She said she wanted to know what kind of equality impact assessment was carried out.

'Best way to support victims of sexual abuse'

The Department of Health said it had been a "source of internal consideration for some time about the best way to support victims of sexual abuse".

A spokeswoman said Nexus had been involved in detailed discussions with the department in recent months which have "helped shape arrangements for individuals currently in receipt of counselling services to continue to receive sessions after April 2024".

"This ensures that the many people currently in receipt of counselling or having had an initial assessment will continue to receive an appropriate service from Nexus," she said.

She said support was available from individual trust mental health services, primary care services and the Domestic and Sexual Abuse helpline which is provided by Nexus.

"The Department is urgently working on how to replace the counselling services provided by Nexus after the contract ends and is committed to using the available funding to support people who are victims of sexual abuse," she added.

The department said it was considering how best to utilise this funding which may "involve the provision of support from the voluntary sector, the HSC Trusts or primary care.

It is trying to enhance and develop support services in line with the draft Domestic and Sexual abuse Strategy 2023-2030.

The DoH said it will continue to engage with Nexus in the days ahead and others about the best way to support victims and survivors of sexual abuse.