Rocks with words of encouragement on them

Learning disabilities and Autism

We work with individuals and organisations to make sure that people with learning disabilities and Autistic people who have experienced rape and sexual abuse are able to get the support they need to help them cope and recover.

If you want support for rape, sexual assault or abuse, visit our learning disabilities and Autism support page.

Our work on learning disabilities and Autism includes:

  • support for individuals
  • training for professionals
  • developing accessible support resources
  • advisory group for women with learning disabilities and Autistic women.

If you are a professional and would like to discuss training and accessible resources, please contact us at info@sarsas.org.uk

The project is funded by the Three Guinea’s Trust and Taunton Women’s Aid.

Lived experience advisory group for women with learning disabilities and/or Autistic women

Our lived experience advisory group supports and guides our learning disabilities and Autism support and project.

Members of the group are women with learning disabilities and/or Autistic women. We believe that the women who have used our services are uniquely placed to tell us what works well or needs improvement.
The group meets to discuss our work and how we can improve our service for women with learning disabilities and/or Autistic women.

The group meets every 8 weeks. If you are interested in finding out more about the group, please contact info@sarsas.org.uk

**We have chosen to use ‘identity-first’ language when talking about Autistic people. This means that we say ‘Autistic people’ rather than ‘people with autism’. This is based on feedback from our lived experience advisory group, who have told us that this is their preferred language.**

The latest from our news and blogs

Standing on a wooden shelf are letters spelling out the word shame balanced. Each letter is carved out to create a stamp.

Shame must change sides

In four words, Gisèle Pelicot articulated what all women around the world need to hear. I want to explore the experience of shame as a victim of rape, because sometimes it’s just not as easy as “I shouldn’t be ashamed, so I won’t be”.

Red brick wall surrounded by grass with a black and silver sign saying 'University'. Trees in the background and a redbrick building in the distance.

Rape Culture: not just a buzzword

A university student, who experienced sexual violence during the first month of enrolling, reflects on the aftermath and the pervasive nature of rape culture on campus and within wider society.

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The impact of trauma on pregnancy, birth & parenthood

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience, and for many, it can also be a challenging one. If you’ve experienced rape or sexual abuse, the past trauma can feel like a heavy weight, influencing your experiences throughout pregnancy, birth, and the early stages of parenthood.