{"id":82730,"date":"2024-02-16T12:41:45","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T12:41:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=82730"},"modified":"2024-02-16T12:41:48","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T12:41:48","slug":"support-group-launched-to-provide-a-community-for-survivors-of-sexual-assault","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2024\/02\/16\/support-group-launched-to-provide-a-community-for-survivors-of-sexual-assault\/","title":{"rendered":"Support group launched to provide a community for survivors of sexual assault"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u2018It\u2019s not therapy \u2013 it\u2019s just that you\u2019re in a space where everyone understands\u2019<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A SUPPORT group to help survivors of sexual assault fight isolation has been launched in Roath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chin Up Cardiff will be running a variety of activities such as yoga, book clubs, or board games every month with the aim to create a safe space and inclusive community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founder and chief executive Ella Dewhurst said: \u201cIt\u2019s about making sure that there\u2019s a space for people to come and just not feel alone and isolated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ella has a degree in psychology and has been working in well-being and mental health services for the last five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: \u201cIf you\u2019ve been sexually assaulted and choose to prosecute, you are limited in the counselling you can receive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe notes are brought forward as evidence in the court which can often be damaging and traumatic for the survivor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Rape Crisis England and Wales, police routinely try to access the counselling notes of rape victims.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It shared the story of one survivor who said: “It was like a physical punch because I wasn\u2019t expecting it … My most intimate sexual details shared with my abuser. Not just the defence and the court, but my abuser. It is so sick, invasive and perverse.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ella said: \u201cI think there\u2019s a lot of people being let down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you think of sexual assault in its purest form, it\u2019s an invasion of privacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen to have that invaded upon multiple situations \u2013 not only do you have to repeat the story and, if it’s a recent thing, go to a SARC \u2026 have rape kits done on you \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll those things are really hard, to then have your mental privacy invaded and your digital privacy invaded \u2013 it\u2019s just wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group will not be based in one location, but instead rotate round different spaces in Roath and Cathays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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