Domestic abuse survivors will receive help and support thanks to East Kent Freemasons
Over one hundred children and young people who have survived domestic abuse will receive the help and support they need to recover and move on, thanks to a grant of £60,000 from East Kent Freemasons to the Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse charity.
Support
Their children and young people’s counselling project will support survivors from as young as five through to 18 years of age that have experienced domestic abuse and live in the Canterbury, Ashford or Folkestone and Hythe districts.
Support will be delivered in various formats, depending upon the child’s needs and learning preferences. It can be provided either through talking or play; each providing an opportunity for the young person to develop their understanding of themselves, their relationships and their behaviour patterns.
This support will be primarily offered in a face to face to capacity within schools and youth centres, with the team remaining flexible and able to offer virtual appointments if needed and appropriate.
“We’re very grateful to East Kent Freemasons for their generous grant which is providing vital specialist counselling support for children across Canterbury, Ashford and, Folkestone and Hythe who have experienced domestic abuse. This abuse can have a lasting effect on their lives, including serious mental health issues; the support we offer is life changing.”
Amy Hall
1 in 4
An estimated one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and, in 90 per cent of incidents, children are in the same or adjacent room when violence happens. This level of trauma in children’s formative years can have catastrophic impacts on their future quality of life and potential. Rising Sun is meeting this need and providing a counselling service to help children overcome their trauma and live the happy, healthy life they deserve.
Help is there
Thank You
Rising Sun recognises that the children being referred for support now have additional needs that have arisen due to the isolation of the pandemic. The rise in abuse over the past two years has had a huge impact on children as they were forced to remain at home with their abusers, with little or no support from their community networks.
Domestic abuse (DA) is highly prevalent across Kent and Medway. Modelled estimates from 2020, based on national survey data, suggest some 75,000 to 80,000 individuals (circa 5.7 per cent of the adult population) are affected by DA annually across the county. Considering that police recorded incidents are higher in Kent and Medway than national averages in England and Wales, the figure could be even higher at around 92,000 individuals. (Kent Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment, October 2020)
The grant from East Kent Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Amy Hall, Trust and Foundations Fundraiser from Rising Sun, said:
“We’re very grateful to East Kent Freemasons for their generous grant which is providing vital specialist counselling support for children across Canterbury, Ashford and, Folkestone and Hythe who have experienced domestic abuse. This abuse can have a lasting effect on their lives, including serious mental health issues; the support we offer is life changing.”
Peter Rhodes from East Kent Freemasons, said:
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Rising Sun with their hugely important programme of support for child survivors of domestic abuse. The effects of this abuse can last a lifetime, not least in terms of performance in the classroom. Failure at school can permanently damage a child’s prospects and intervention at an early stage can make all the difference.”
Help
Rising Sun Domestic Violence & Abuse Service supports women and children affected by domestic abuse in Canterbury and East Kent. They support their users through every step of removing abuse from their lives and improving their safety.
For more information or help, please visit their website, or use other means to seek help.
CONTACT DETAILS
Some images of the vist featuring the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, WBro Peter Rhodes, (centre), WBro Charles Pottle, (left) and WBro Matt Jury, (Far right)
If so, please get in touch, as you can see, we here in East Kent do some remarkable work, however big or small. Conatct Phil on media@eastkentfreemasons.org