A DERRY seminar will hear today that the North is underequipped to deal with the rise in sexual violence.
The even is being hosted by Nexus NI, the local charity providing support to victims of sexual violence and abuse.
The aim is to equip professionals with enhanced skills to help and support victims of sexual violence.
The seminars form part of Nexus NI’s ‘Break the Silence on Sexual Violence’ campaign and are funded by Big Lottery as part of the ‘Together for You’ project.
Zoe Lodrick, a leading expert in sexualised trauma, will lead the event.
The one day presentation will cover the psychology of sex offenders, the long term effects on victims and therapeutic tools and treatments for survivors.
Zoe Lodrick is a practising psychotherapist and has over 19 years’ experience working with victims of rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual violence.
She is also regularly consulted as an expert witness during trials.
Said Ms Lodrick: “Sexual violence is on the increase in Northern Ireland, which is extremely worrying.
“It is paramount that the Northern Ireland Executive address this issue now rather than later.
“Victims of sexual abuse experience serious trauma which can impact on their health, and their personal and professional lives.
“Any delay in support being provided to victims can cause further problems to develop which may prevent them from working or socialising in the same ways they did before the incident.
“As well as the enormous cost to the victim, sexual violence has an impact on society with financial costs that reach into the millions.
“Seminars like these are extremely important as they both increase awareness of the issue of sexual violence but also educate professionals and the public on how to best support victims from the outset to minimise trauma.”
The PSNI’s latest statistics show that sexual offences have increased over the last two years, 232 offences were recorded in August 2015 alone.
Pam Hunter, Chief Executive of Nexus NI:
“The harsh reality is 1 in 4 people in Northern Ireland have been victims of sexual violence and abuse, it is extremely important that we respond to the greater level of demand being put upon services offered by the likes of Nexus NI and The Rowan.
“Today’s seminar is over-subscribed, which is a positive indicator of the local counselling professionals’ and community groups’ commitment.
“However it also shows that education around this issue is needed more than ever.
A”t Nexus supporting victims and survivors is our number one priority.
“Training like this ultimately impacts on the lives of sexual violence victims, it ensures those in need get the best support possible.”
Nexus NI is a registered charity which offers counselling and support to victims of sexual violence and abuse, it supports those aged eleven and over, both male and female and is based in twenty-five locations across the North, including Derry.
The charity has supported 15,163 clients over the last six years.
They have all experienced rape or sexual abuse.
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