South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle brought one of his fellow MSPs to Kilmarnock for an introduction to one of Scotland’s leading charities supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse and rape.
Brian decided to use the Summer Recess to bring his colleague Miles Briggs MSP, the Scottish Conservatives Health spokesperson, to Break the Silence to highlight the work they’re doing and discuss what more can be done at a national level to support Break the Silence and other charities who provide vital help to survivors and their families.
During the visit, Brian and Miles were given a tour of the charity’s town centre offices before sitting down with some senior staff to discuss the work of Break the Silence and the difference they can make to people’s lives. Break the Silence offer a range of holistic support including; one to one professional counselling using qualified Psychotherapists, eye movement de-sensitisation and re-processing (EMDR), complementary therapies, advocacy support, and group activities. The services offered enables Survivors to address issues arising from their experiences of rape or abuse, supporting them to reduce self-harming or destructive behaviours, develop healthier coping strategies and empowers them to transition beyond the trauma they have experienced to live healthier, improved lives. The charity also provides limited support for partners and family members of survivors.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Break the Silence was one of the first organisations I visited after becoming an MSP and I’ve kept in touch with them ever since. The work they do plays a vital role, supporting people who have gone through unimaginably traumatic experiences and giving them the kind of long term, tailored support they need to work through their trauma.
I’m pleased I was able to introduce Miles to the work of Break the Silence and I know that what he and I have learned will inform our work in Parliament and thinking about how we develop policy to better support services like this.”
Comment from Break the Silence:
“It was a pleasure to host the visit and to have the opportunity to provide a deeper insight into the work of our charity and the challenges experienced by survivors”.
Comment from Miles Briggs MSP:
“I was very pleased to join Brian in visiting Break the Silence and delighted to meet the team there. It is clear that the work they are doing is extremely important and that they are providing first class support to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and rape. I wish them well for the future and believe that the model they operate has the potential to be successfully replicated elsewhere.”
For more information about Break the Silence, you can contact them by phone 01563 559558 (between 10am-4pm); by e-mail [email protected] or visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/breakthesilence.org.
