Our Services
Counselling
Counselling provides an opportunity to talk confidentially and in private with a trained and qualified counsellor about the effects of sexual abuse or rape. The counsellor will offer an understanding, caring atmosphere and will listen carefully and empathically. Their aim is to help you understand how to take control of your own life and make the right choices for you.
Abuse has a strong impact on the victim's self-esteem and may result in feelings of confusion, isolation and powerlessness. These feelings may then manifest as various symptoms and behaviours. Rapists and abusers coerce or force people into activities that they would not normally choose for themselves, leaving their victims vulnerable to further abuse and control.
To support the Counselling Service, DRASACS have an ISVA, whose role is to assist and support victims who have been raped or sexually assaulted at any time in their life. Sexual assault and rape can be the most difficult things to talk about; an ISVA can help in a number of ways by exploring the options available to you.
They are able to help you decide if you wish to make a report to the police and give you information about, and support through the legal process as well as advise you of your rights. They can monitor and keep you informed on your case progress. The ISVA can also help you access health and other services you may require.
The ISVA will also work with families whose child has been abused, in order to ensure they receive the services they need.
The ISVA service is confidential, free and available to anyone, male or female regardless of whether you have told the police or anyone else about the attack.
Self referrals are welcomed, just call: 07733 092703.
Since 2004, DRASACS have been providing a counselling service in HMP and YOI Doncaster, known as the DoVeS project. It works with prisoners whose lives have been affected by abuse.
This has been of significant benefit to those prisoners whose offending behaviour can be directly attributed to a history of serious abuse.
Professional evaluation has shown evidence of improvement in their mental and emotional well being as well as attitudes to changing their own lives and to re-offending.
The project includes a training element for prison staff, to raise awareness of abuse issues and its effects. Staff have commented on both the usefulness of the training and the changes in behaviour and self esteem in those men accessing the service.