Survivors’ testimonials

It is our aim to support everyone in the Berkshire area who has experienced rape or sexual abuse. We believe that every individual has the right to be free from all forms of sexual violence and abuse. Our services are for female, male or transgender survivors of any age. (Our children and young people’s services are for those aged 4 to 17 years old.) We support people who have historic and recent experiences of sexual violence and also supporters of survivors such as friends and family. Trust House is the only rape support service offering holistic support to men in the Thames Valley area. Likewise, our counselling services for young people and play therapy for children is highly sought after because there are no other specialist organisations within the local area that offer these services for children. All of our services are free, confidential, non-judgmental and inclusive. They are accessible to anyone, whatever their background, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnicity etc.

Please have a read of the feedback we’ve received from people who have accessed our services:

Adult counselling service

‘With the right encouragement, I feel I have the tools to be able to turn my negative experience into a positive one. I am much more able to deal with everything that has happened. In short, I am happier than ever before.’

‘It has helped me to have healthy relationships with others and myself, and to move on with my life, not letting abuse control me- I feel like it is really over now.’

‘I feel I am now able to accept what has happened and move on and be the person I was always supposed to be. The counselling has been such a life-changing experience, so happy I did it.’

‘I would like to thank my counsellor. I have learnt so much about myself as a person that maybe I didn’t realise. Helpful, kind and made to feel in a safe environment.’

‘My counsellor has been wonderful. Incredibly supportive, caring and patient and has helped me come to terms with what has happened to me and how I can deal with the impact of that. Will be forever grateful for her help and support.’

‘When I first attended Trust House, I was in a place I would not want anybody to even imagine… I was at the lowest point in my life… I was given support at Trust House, somebody to listen to me, somebody I could trust and, most importantly, somebody who believed me… My counsellor listened and supported me over many hours. I never felt judged or hurried in my journey. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to attend Trust House. Without the counselling, I don’t think I’d be here today. I am now able to cope and deal better with the abuse I went through, using the strategies and strength I gained through my counselling. Thank you to everyone at Trust House, especially my counsellor…for helping me get my life back.’

ISVA service

‘Thank you for being there. I was too scared to go to court alone.’
(Client supported through giving evidence in Crown Court.)

‘You have been a real help. I didn’t know who else to turn to.’
(Client supported through mental health issues.)

‘It helped to have someone to talk to about going to court and what would happen there.’

CYP services

‘I can be me in here’
(6-year-old client)

‘All foster children who have been sexually abused should be able to have this service’
(A foster carer)

‘Can I keep coming?…it makes me feel good’
(An 11-year-old client)

‘This service is amazing…It is so hard to get services for children who have experienced sexual abuse’
(A social worker)

‘The work you are doing is invaluable to the children and families receiving the service’
(A CAMHS professional)

‘——has clearly benefitted from the play therapy and we can see a real difference at school in her concentration levels’
(A teacher)

‘She feels comfortable in her own skin again now’
(A parent)