The Survivors Trust

Who we are

The Survivors Trust is the largest membership organisation for specialist rape and sexual abuse and experienced professionals. Our core aim is to ensure that society supports all survivors effectively and takes responsibility for ending sexual violence. 

• 15% of girls and 5% of boys have experienced sexual violence by the time they are sixteen.
• Every five minutes in the UK someone experiences rape, attempted rape or sexual assault by penetration.  And that is only adults.

The need for specialist support services for survivors is essential.

Our values - we support working in ways that:

• Empower survivors
• Demonstrate a commitment  to supporting survivors equally regardless of their gender, background or experience
• Demonstrate understanding of the role of gender in the impact of sexual violence and abuse on women, men and children

Our core aim is to ensure that society supports all survivors effectively and takes responsibility for ending sexual violence.

The impact of sexual violence of any form, whether experienced as an adult or as a child, can be devastating and can last a lifetime. 

Survivors can suffer from a wide range of physical and mental health problems as a result of being sexually violated, affecting every aspect of their health, their lives, relationships, education and career.  

TST works to raise awareness about the support survivors need and the work of the sexual violence sector in providing this crucial help.

TST is in the unique position of having member agencies that are working with all victims and survivors of sexual violence and sexual abuse.  We are well aware of the issues facing organisations that are delivering trauma informed services and can support them and policy makers and commissioners to understand how services need to be developed and provided.

We want to see a world where survivors can easily get all the support, therapy, advice and information they need to enable them to reclaim their lives, be able to feel they have had justice for the awful experiences they have been through and can move on to live their lives free from the aftermath of trauma.  This means ensuring that specialist rape and sexual abuse services are properly resourced to deliver the services that survivors choose and tell us they prefer.

What we do:

• Raise awareness about rape and sexual abuse and its effect on survivors, their supporters and society at large
• Support and networking for our Member Agencies
• Attend national groups and forums, promoting effective responses to rape and sexual abuse
• We provide a voice for victims and survivors of all forms of sexual violence
• Respond to consultations
• Survey Member Agencies on current issues
• Deliver accredited training to Members, government agencies, police, health    professionals and schools
• We provide National Service Standards for specialist rape and sexual abuse support services
• Our supportline offers advice, information and support for anyone affected by sexual violence