Sexual Abuse Forum MeetingHELPING SURVIVORS
OF SEXUAL ABUSE
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Thursday, October 19, 2006
Making health services more sensitive to the needs of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse is the theme of a conference in Wolverhampton next month put on by Wolverhampton PCT Trust
The conference – ‘Sensitive practice for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse’ on Thursday, November 9 –has been organised by the city’s sexual abuse forum following comments from clients that their childhood experiences can sometimes make them feel nervous about attending medical appointments.
Jackie Sharratt, sexual abuse specialist for Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust and chair of the forum, said: “For adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse appointments with a doctor, dentist, optician, midwife or even a hairdresser may trigger traumatic memories and this, in turn, may lead them to avoid appointments and neglect their health. The conference will look at how services can be more sensitive to the needs of these clients.”
David Bate, from Taylor Biddle Opticians, and consultant midwife Kathryn Gutteridge will give presentations on steps services can take to put clients at ease. David said: “If clients are nervous or apprehensive it is up to us as practitioners to make their appointment as comfortable as possible. Simple things such as leaving the door of the examination room open, or asking a friend to come into the room with the client can make all the difference.”
New booklets - for clients on what to expect at an appointment and for practitioners on how to make appointments less stressful – will be launched at the event.
The conference takes place at Bantock House, Bantock Park, Wolverhampton, 10am-4pm. It is free for service users, survivors of childhood sexual abuse or the unwaged but costs £25 for staff from statutory and voluntary sector organisations. To book a place contact Di Drew on 01902 328978.
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