Male Service

If you're a male survivor of sexual violence or abuse, please know that you are not alone. RASA Merseyside can offer a range of support. 

Sexual violence affects men in different ways. It depends on what happened, when it happened, your response at the time and later, and the reactions of others around you. It can have a serious impact, but many men find ways of coping and getting their lives back on track. 

The different strands of support that RASA Merseyside can offer include: 

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors Services:

The Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service that offers support, information, practical and emotional support for all those affected by sexual violence experienced in the past or present. The aim of the service is to help you cope with the after impact of sexual violence, whether reported to the police or not.

We are independent from the Police, but our service includes supporting you through the criminal justice process should you chose to report. The ISVA will be specially trained to provide this support and will stay with you throughout your journey and through the criminal justice system and beyond.

You don't have to have reported to the police to access our specialist advocacy service. If you're at the point of considering your options and want more information, an ISVA might be able to help you.

ISVA's can also support you with practical issues that might come up as a result of the sexual violence you've experienced. For example, you might want support accessing services like housing, education or health.

Support can be offered over the phone, face to face, by email or text, you can discuss this once you have spoken to the ISVA who will support you.

You can also access our ISVA Service Policies and Procedures on request to the ISVA service manager.

You can find out more about our ISVA service on this page
ISVA Services

Counselling:

We have a large team of counsellors, many of our counsellors are person-centred trained using an integrative based approach, and give you space to explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. 

All our Counsellors are registered members of the and British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) adhere to the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. 

You can find out more about counselling by visiting https://www.rasamerseyside.org/our-services/counselling

Reducing Anxiety and Depression (RAD) Groups: 

Our RADS group is a clinical hypnotherapy group, providing 3 sessions of clinical hypnotherapy, over a 3 week period, working on reducing your symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress. 

You will be placed in a male group.

Please note that this is not one to one support, and it is not group therapy, you will not be expected to share your feelings or any details about yourself or your experiences.

What will happen during the sessions? 

During the session you will take part in a guided meditation. This will help you to relax and enter a hypnotic trance. You will be in full control and able to respond to the facilitator at any time.

To refer yourself for support, please visit https://www.rasamerseyside.org/make-a-referral.