The third annual national awareness week on sexual abuse and sexual violence takes place this week until the 9th February across the UK.

Organisers hope the nationwide week-long series of events, hosted by local organisations, will spread the message that any form of sexual abuse and sexual violence is unacceptable.

The week aims to generate discussion among the general public, statutory bodies and third sector organisations about how sexual abuse and sexual violence is not ok, it aims to empower survivors and send out a clear message that society will be saying ‘It’s Not Ok’.

In Orkney , Orkney Rape & Sexual Assault Service (ORSAS) will be hosting a display in their Equality Hub at 26 Bridge Street, Kirkwall which highlights their work in supporting & advocating for survivors of all kinds of sexual violence. This will include the prevention work they carry out in schools, youth settings and in the wider community.

One of the rooms inside the Hub 

Zelda Bradley , ORSAS service manager said:

“There has been a specialist service in Orkney supporting survivors of sexual violence for 4 years.

“When we first started we were constantly told, despite the evidence, “that kind of thing just doesn’t happen here – you won’t be very busy”. That narrative, unfortunately, is inaccurate and only serves to silence those who have experienced abuse and allow abusers to continue to do what they do unchecked.

“We couldn’t be more pleased if you and yours have never experienced this because it truly has the potential to be utterly devastating. The resilience we see every day is heart stopping.

“ORSAS has played its part in changing awareness through campaigning for local forensic services, instigating Ask for Angela in local bars & venues and developing our Equality Hub as part of our community prevention plan.

“We couldn’t do this work without our funders, our Rape Crisis network, the support of multi-agency partners, the people who access our services and the support of our community.

“If you haven’t been to see our Equality Hub yet, drop by, everyone is welcome.”

Further information about the work of ORSAS can be found on:

•  website https://orsas.scot
• Facebook and
• Twitter