rcewdh01.pdf

Transcript

1. Supporting Survivors through Webchat Isabel Owens
2. Background • Live Chat at RSACC • 1 evening shift a week • 4 operators • Normally delivered by volunteers, currently being delivered by staff • Group supervision normally, currently one to one 2
3. Types of Chats 3
4. Survivors exploring support for the first time Survivors who doing initial, tentative exploration of support. They maybe • disclosing for the first time • unsure of whether their experiences are rape • unsure about reporting • unsure of how to access support. 4
5. Disclosures “I don't know where to start” , “I don’t know how to say it” Or Long disclosure story with a lot of text 5
6. Direct Questions “Was this rape?” “Should I report?” “Should I tell someone?” 6
7. Survivors living with long term impacts of sexual violence Survivors who are living with long term mental health impacts- • Seeking emotional support • Maybe having flashbacks • Maybe accessing support elsewhere • Maybe repeat users 7
8. Emotional Support “I’m really struggling today, I keep having flashbacks” “Can I talk to you, I just need to get this out my head” “I just want how I’m feeling to end, it’s with me all the time, talking doesn’t help, you can’t change what happened to me” 8
9. Experience as an operator What I enjoy- • Instant form of support but can take your time and be purposeful in your conversations • Feels like we are giving survivors a safe space they wouldn’t have access to otherwise • Gives me a chance to develop my skills 9
10. Experience as an operator What I find hard- • Endings- keeping people to time, when endings haven’t felt satisfying • When people go quiet • Giving people time and space- not typing over • Can be isolating especially during lock down 10
11. Support for operators • Supervision • Chat with other operators • Self care 11