Sexual violence is a crime that has devastating affects on its victims that can span a life-time if adequate and appropriate support is not provided. Those who have experienced sexual violence have a right to good mental health and well-being; and to being given every opportunity to live their life to their fullest potential. Sadly, this isn’t happening as it needs to and at a national level, we fall way short in providing the level of service required. Why is this? If it’s about scarce resources and the lack of funding to provide these services, surely we have lost sight of our core values. Those who have experienced sexual violence have already paid an immeasurable price, some the highest price of all, with their lives.

What of today’s victims? beyond existing services already stretched in trying to meet the continuing needs of children, young people and adults; what are we doing to stop the phenomenon that is sexual violence, that is all too pervasive in our society. We can say; tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and as each tomorrow becomes today, if nothing changes, we will continue in our failure to respond as we need to. Tragically, sexual violence is not consigned to our past, it is an appalling and inexcusable part of our present and if we continue as we are now, it seems it will remain a part of our future.

Directing resources towards those who have experienced sexual violence is an absolute must AND...

We have to look at all aspects of this phenomenon, to see the whole picture, to reflect on what can feel intolerable, to consider what can seem unspeakable, to ponder the unthinkable. Perhaps it is not until we have been impacted ourselves, through personal experience or by the experience of someone we care about, that we truly meet the devastation left in the aftermath of sexual violence. There is a perpetrator, which research has shown, is most likely to be a member of our family. If we cannot find within ourselves a capacity to be open to treating those who perpetrate sexual violence, how can we truly believe that change can happen?

Sex Offender Assessment and Treatment

If we are to break the cycle of sexual offending, we must find within ourselves a strength to meet the whole of the individual, who can masquerade as teacher, coach, employer, father, babysitter, grandfather, priest, aunt, brother, uncle, mother, neighbour etc. etc. etc.

Can we be open to offering some sort of intervention, to creating a common goal that embraces our collective wellbeing; all the while honouring the rights of the victims? Can we make treatment a viable option for those among us who are the sexual predators, the perpetrators, the sex offenders; though we may feel ourselves buried beneath the devastating weight of the impact caused by such acts of violence?

With those individuals and organisations already providing a variety of treatment interventions and programmes, we in The Embodied Psychotherapy Centre offer a small, though significant contribution working with individuals and groups. We also offer support to partners, family and friends; those who are in relationship or who, by association, are directly impacted upon by the sexually violent behaviour of another.

If you are interested in our work or need support, please contact the Centre and we will be delighted to explore your needs within the context of your particular situation. In making contact, you need to be aware that we adhere strictly to current legislation and guidelines protecting the rights of children and vulnerable adults.