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Welcome to SERICC!

South Essex Rape & Incest Crisis Centre

Counselling, Support & Advocacy

SERICC opened in 1984 and covers the areas of Thurrock, Basildon and Brentwood. As a voluntary organisation and a registered charity, the organisation is confidential and independent from social services, the police and other official agencies.

SERICC provides a service to women and girls over 13 years old who have been raped, sexually assaulted, experienced child sexual abuse, sexual harassment or who have experienced any form of sexually violence or attempted sexual assault.

You can ring SERICC if something is happening in your life now, or if you are having difficulties about something that has happened in the past. You can also phone if you are worried about your child, someone else in your family, or someone you know.

If you ring us we can offer telephone counselling and 'one to one' counselling, emotional support and practical information, we will not tell you what to do or judge your actions.

What is counselling?

Counselling provides a space to help you gain a clearer understanding of yourself and your situation. Counselling may help you find your own answers to the problems you may be experiencing as a result of sexual violence.

SERICC's counsellors will never force you to talk about anything you are not ready to. At any of your counselling appointments the counsellor will answer any questions you have about counselling or other support needs. You and your counsellor will review whether you feel the counselling is meeting want you need on a regular basis.

How to book an appointment?

When you ring for the first time we will offer to send you information and make an appointment to see a counsellor. Sometimes due to high demand for counselling there is a waiting list which will be explained to you when you call. (Girls under 18 years of age are prioritised and do not go on the waiting list). You can continue to use the counselling telephone line until an appointment space becomes available or when you choose to start counselling.

The telephone counselling line is open 9 hours per week, so it can be busy. If you have difficulty in getting through please keep trying or leave a message on the answer phone and a counsellor will phone you back.

SERICC provides:

• sexual violence counsellors who are all women
• counselling sessions in a comfortable environment
• free, short term or long term 'one to one' and telephone counselling
• appointments with the same counsellor
• support for mothers whose children have experienced sexual abuse
• sexual health information about e.g. sexually transmitted infections, abortion, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS
• support when attending appointments for sexual health checks
• support for you and your family through a court case
• support in making contact with other official people e.g. police, doctors, social workers

All of SERICC's counsellors have successfully completed counselling training. If you want to know more about counsellor training please ask when you phone or when you come to your appointment.

SERICC's work includes:

• Offering support and information to family members, friends and carers;
• signposting men and boys to appropriate services for male victims of sexual violence;
• Representing women's issues on national and local statutory and governmental committees;
• Raising awareness of women's sexual violence issues and campaigning about women's sexual violence issues;
• Displays and information at events in the community;
• Maintaining links with agencies who have similar aims locally, nationally and internationally;
• A sexual violence consultation service to local, national & international agencies;
• Active involvement in innovative rape and sexual violence projects including education and awareness raising amongst young people;
• Collation of sexual violence statistical information to be used locally and nationally to inform the development and improvement of women centred service provision.

OUR COUNSELLING TELEPHONE LINE IS OPEN ON:

Wednesday 10am - 12pm
Thursdays 12pm - 4pm
Saturdays 10am - 1pm

'One to one' counselling
by appointment only

Contact South Essex Rape & Incest Crisis Centre at:

Better for women, better for all

The services provided by the South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre (SERICC) are in response to what women and girls say they need to enable them to have greater control and choice in their lives. SERICC acknowledges that many women suffer unfair and unjust treatment in our society. We aim to challege the inequality, discrimination, prejudice and harm that affects the lives of women and girls who have suffered sexual violence. We offer services that support women and girls by promoting self-confidence, self-respect, physical and emotional well-being.

SERICC Patrons

• Professor Liz Kelly CBE
• Baroness Helena Kennedy QC
• Glynis Kinnock MEP