Sexual trauma service demonstrates value of specialist, compassionate care | News and events

A specialist service supporting survivors and victims of sexual assault and abuse across Norfolk and Waveney, continues to thrive in its third year of operation.

The Enhanced Mental Health Pathway for Survivors and Victims of Sexual Assault and Abuse (EMHP SAA), run by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, offers specialist psychological intervention to people who would otherwise struggle to access the therapy they need.

The service, which was commissioned by NHS England in April 2024, works closely with Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) partners across Norfolk and Waveney, and links with local organisations supporting survivors to offer consultancy and stabilisation groups and to strengthen trauma-informed practice.

The team is made up of four clinical psychologists, a trainee and an assistant psychologist with some administrative support. Over the past two years, the EMHP SAA has provided expert consultation to more than 150 people and assessed or offered treatment to more than 50 of those who have survived sexual abuse.

Consultant Clinical Psychologist Adrian Leddy said: “Service users have reported feeling heard, validated and empowered in their recovery, with outcome data showing improvements in psychological wellbeing, emotional regulation, trauma symptoms and quality of life. The pathway continues to demonstrate the value of specialist, compassionate care for those who need it most.”

Deirdre Williams, Associate Chief Psychological Professions Officer, said the service had been set up to address gaps in care and to help people struggling to access the right service. “Some of the people we see have complex presentations which can’t be met by community mental health teams (CMHT), others might have slipped through gap between primary and secondary care. When the service was set up, we were also seeing issues with marginalised groups and those who might avoid contact with services due to stigma or discrimination.”

The service operates using a ‘no wrong door’ approach, with the aim to increase access to appropriate therapy. Referrals are accepted from mental health professionals and VCSE organisations following consultation with the practitioner psychologists in the pathway. Where it becomes clear that a service user’s needs would be best met by another service, they will liaise with them to enable access.

NSFT’s chief nurse Anthony Deery said: “We always want everyone to be able to access the support they need and this service provides a vital lifeline for people who may have complex issues, which makes treatment more complicated. The team works with the client to make sure they receive the appropriate treatment or signposting.”

One client who has received therapy from the service said it was the first time they had ever felt validated, having been told their case was “too complex”.

They said: “My experience of accessing therapy and moving through the systems has been absolutely shocking. I have over 10 years of history trying to access services and have been told by the NHS that I’ve been too complex or that I had to focus on one emotional trauma at a time when everything is connected.

“As my trauma progressed, I couldn’t seek help from anyone because I was worried about being blamed and I couldn’t open up. I just want to stress how important EMHP SAA is for someone with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) because a lot of services dismiss you. Having someone who can address so many issues is important because there’s so many people like me who need this support.

“Now my life is steadily improving, I am more open, I am processing things I’ve kept inside for so long. It’s a completely different perspective by having someone who understands without any judgment. I am so grateful for the support. There’s nothing that I can talk about that will make me uncomfortable, nothing will be met with shame or negativity. It’s supportive and validating. I feel like 90% of being a survivor is being silenced for so long, so being encouraged to speak is important and empowering.”

Another client said the psychologist he saw was the first and only one who had opened up gaps in his mind. “Some issues have had positive outcomes and that has absolutely never happened before,” he said.

 Pictured are (from left): Moira Ramm, Deirdre Williams, Graham Beales, Alison Woods, Rebecca Ison, Molly Cross and Adrian Leddy.