Learning Disabilities and Autism Toolkit
We have developed a toolkit for supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people who have experienced sexual violence.
The creation of the toolkit was funded by the Three Guineas Trust and the Somerset Discovery Fund, managed by the Somerset Community Foundation.
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- Learning disabilities and autism toolkit
Explaining trauma
Trauma is a lasting emotional response that can occur following a frightening or harmful experience. Experiencing a traumatic event can cause strong physical, emotional and behavioural reactions. This can include depression, low self-esteem, self-blame and guilt
Responses to trauma
An experience of trauma can have a profound impact on the brain producing a number of different responses. Everyone’s experience is unique, but there are some common responses shared by many victim-survivors.
Seeking further support – healing and recovery
When seeking further support or signposting, its important to remember that different things work for different people. Always try to offer the person you are working with options on what might suit them best.
Making services accessible
Based on SARSAS’ learning, feedback from the people we support and the views of our lived experience advisory group, we have put together hints and tips for working with autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
Consent – what it is and how to talk about it
Consent means that all people involved in any kind of sexual activity agree to take part by choice. They also need to have the freedom and capacity to make that choice. Those who support or work with people with learning disabilities and autistic people often have concerns around consent and the mental capacity act.
The latest from our news and blogs
Be the change: how to be an Active Bystander
We can all be bystanders. Every day events unfold around us. At some point, we will register someone in danger. When this happens, we can decide to do or say something (and become an active bystander), or to let it go (and remain a passive bystander).
Kinergy closure statement
We are deeply saddened by the closure of Kinergy, an organisation that has provided invaluable support to survivors of sexual violence for nearly 30 years.
The power of creativity in healing: songs of survival
Recently, two people reached out to us independently, each having recorded a song about their personal experiences of sexual violence. Their powerful and deeply moving songs serve as a testament to resilience, and we’re honoured they asked us to share their work.
