Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, takes place in the first full week of February every year. In collaboration with its multi-agency partners, part of the SaferWalsall Partnership (SWP), Walsall Council is raising awareness of sexual abuse and violence whilst also reinforcing the campaign’s key message – #ItsNotOk. 

“ Sexual abuse and violence have no place in our community. Raising awareness is about breaking the silence, challenging harmful attitudes, and making it clear that survivors are believed, supported, and never to blame.

As a council, we are committed to working with partners to ensure help is available and that everyone can feel safe and respected. This commitment cannot be realised without our communities, and we will continue to build stronger partnerships with them over the coming years to challenge this behaviour and support those who are victims “

Councillor Adam Hicken, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities at Walsall Council

In addition to raising awareness and tackling sexual abuse and violence, Walsall Council works directly with other local organisations, such as the NHS, to help and support victims and survivors of these crimes. 

Walsall Council’s social services can refer young people and children who are victims of rape and sexual abuse to the West Midlands Regional Children & Young People Sexual Assault Service. The service cares for children from birth to 17 years old, and those aged 18–25-years-old who present with complex needs. 

Walsall’s rape and sexual assault referral centre (SARC), run by the service, is based at Darlaston Health Centre in Wednesbury and is available to contact 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

The centre offers medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been sexually assaulted or raped. They have specially trained paediatricians, forensic nurse examiners (FNE) and support workers to care for young victims. 

Signs in both adults and children of experienced sexual abuse and violence can include: 

• Unexpected or unexplained changes in behaviour, such as becoming more fearful, aggressive, withdrawn and/or clingy 
• Bruising or injury particularly to the thighs, buttocks, upper arms or marks on their neck 
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and urinary tract infections (UTI) 
• Self-harming 
• Poor concentration, withdrawal, sleep disturbance 
• Excessive fear / apprehension of, or withdrawal from relationships 
• Fear of receiving help with personal care 
• Reluctance to be alone with a particular person 
• Pregnancy in a woman who is unable to consent to sexual intercourse 
• Bleeding, pain or itching in the genital area 

If you or someone you know are currently or have previously been affected by sexual abuse or sexual violence, you can get help from various services and charities. 

Walsall has a dedicated sexual health clinic, and more information can be found on the Walsall Integrated Sexual Health Services website: www.walsallsexualhealth.nhs.uk  

For children: 

• Walsall Council children’s services – call 0300 555 2866 weekdays (or call one of these numbers on evenings, weekends and bank holidays: 0300 555 2922 or 0300 555 2836) 
• Barnados – visit: www.barnardos.org.uk  
• ChildLine (24-hour helpline for under 18s) – call 0800 1111 
• NSPCC (available 10m to 4pm, Mondays to Fridays) – call 0808 800 5000 

For adults: 

• Walsall Council adult social care services – call 0300 555 2922 
• Mankind Initiative (available 10m to 4pm, Mondays to Fridays – male domestic abuse) – call 0808 800 1170 
• Refuge (24-hour national domestic abuse helpline) – call 0808 2000 247 
• Rape Crisis England & Wales (24-hour support line) – call 0808 500 2222 
• Safeline National Male Survivor Helpline (sexual abuse) – call 0808 800 5005 
• The Samaritans (24-hour mental health helpline) – call 116 123 

To find out more about the Walsall Safeguarding Partnership, visit: walsallsp.co.uk 

For more information on Adult Social Care provided by Walsall Council, visit: go.walsall.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/accessing-social-care-support