Session overview:
This session on Understanding Sexual Violence and Supporting Survivors and Victims will explore:
- the prevalence of sexual violence and abuse
- the gendered nature of sexual violence
- The legal framework and criminal justice system in relation to sexual offences
- the impacts of harmful myths and stereotypes, rape culture, victim blaming and cultures of disbelief
- barriers to reporting and speaking out
- creating positive help seeking experiences for survivors and victims
- using a trauma informed approach in service delivery
- information on specialist support services.
Session delivered by Norah Al-Ani:
Norah is the Director of Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, a local specialist sexual violence organisation providing dedicated support services to survivors of rape, sexual abuse and any form of sexual violence. Norah has been at Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre for 13 years with over 20 years’ experience of working in the violence against women and girls sector in Cambridgeshire. She was the Rape Crisis representative for the east region and a board member and trustee for Rape Crisis England and Wales for two years. Norah is an Honorary Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University and was awarded an MBE in the new year’s honours list in 2021 for her services to social justice and gender equality.