SRASAC

It's Friday, it's October, and the weather says it's time for a warm cup in your hands ☕ We've rounded up our team's favourite coffee shops in Sheffield to help you settle into autumn. Tell us your favourite in the comments! 🍂

Did you know that self-swab kits only focus on DNA, which is a small part of the evidence collected in a forensic medical exam?

Forensic medical examinations in SARCs gather more evidence than just DNA. They can include an assessment of injuries, clothing, blood samples, and other medical findings, all of which can be crucial to any subsequent legal case.

Self-swab kits can't collect any of this evidence, which may be vital if you decide to pursue a criminal justice outcome.

We don't recommend the use of self-swab r**e kits because we don't believe they will be as effective at bringing perpetrators to justice or providing support to survivors.

Most perpetrators will claim that any sexual activity was consensual, which means that most sexual offence trials will focus on consent. Self-swab kits may detect another person’s DNA, but this cannot prove that any sexual activity was non-consensual.

While they might seem like a good idea, these kits can't actually prove a lack of consent. Any evidence they do gather might not be admissible in court

If you've read this far, thank you 💜

Please share this with your friends, colleagues, siblings, anyone starting or returning to university for the new academic year. Help us make sure that all survivors in all spaces can make informed choices.

We want to say a huge thank you to our talented supporters for their beautiful donations to our Self-Soothe Bags project! Take a look at these gorgeous bags, each handmade with love 💜

If you fancy a go at crafting some pouches for our service users to store their personal sensory items when accessing support with us, we're always accepting new donations. Whether you're into crochet, knitting, felting, sewing, or another craft, we'd love to hear from you! 🧶

For more information on the Self-Soothe Bags Project and how you can get involved, head to www.srasac.org.uk/self-soothe-bags-project 🖱

We're having some technical trouble with our office phone line and the intercom at our centre today.

If you have an in-person session with us today, there is a sign on the front door of our centre with instructions on how to let us know when you are here.

If you need to get in touch with us today, you can still use the following contact methods:

📧 Email: [email protected]

📱 Service Information Line: 07517 100 757

At SRASAC, inclusion isn't just something we mark once a year, it's woven into everything we do.

We support survivors of all genders, identities, and backgrounds, because we know trauma doesn't discriminate, and neither should support. That's why our doors, and our ears, are open to everyone.

This year's theme for National Inclusion Week is, Build Trust. Navigate Change. Trust is the foundation of everything we do with survivors, and we know it has to be earned, every single day, through listening, believing, and showing up without judgement.

We're proud to lead with:
💜Compassion, without conditions
💜Dignity, for every person who walks through our door
💜 A service free from barriers
💜A community where every identity is valued

Because everyone deserves to be believed. Everyone deserves support. Everyone deserves dignity.

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day.

Here are some things to remember today, and every day:

💜 You are worthy of love and care
💜 Your feelings are valid
💜 You are stronger than you think
💜 Your life has value, and your story matters
💜 You are enough
💜 You are not alone.

You don't have to go through anything alone. Help is available, and these helplines are ready to listen, whether you need support for yourself or want to help someone else. 💜

***dePreventionDay

Are you taking on the Sheffield 10K later this month? 🏃‍♀️💨 Why not go the extra mile and raise funds for SRASAC?

Every step you take could help us to provide vital support for survivors of sexual violence in Sheffield. By fundraising for SRASAC, you'll be making a real difference for survivors in our community.

If you're interested in running for SRASAC, head to www.srasac.org.uk/donate for more information and to set up a fundraising page on our website 👆

Our centre and Service Information Line will close on Friday 28th August at 5pm for the August bank holiday, and will reopen on Tuesday 1st September at 9am.

We hope you all have a safe and sunny bank holiday weekend ☀️

Summer holidays winding down and running out of things to do? 👀 We asked the team for their favourite free things to do in Sheffield - parks, farms, galleries and more, all without spending a penny. Swipe through for some inspo! 🌳🐐📚

We're feeling very lucky to have received lots of lovely Pocket Pals this month - swipe to take a look at the wonderful creations from our talented supporters! 💜

If you'd like to get involved in the Pocket Pals Project, we're always accepting new donations. Whether you're into crochet, knitting, felting, sewing or another craft, we'd love to hear from you! 🧶

For more information on the Pocket Pals Project and how you can get involved, head to www.srasac.org.uk/pocket-pals-project 🖱