Trust Launch New Service for Young People Impacted by Sexual Abuse

A new service that will provide specialist support for children and young people who have been impacted by sexual abuse and harm has been launched by the Southern Trust.

The first facility of its kind in NI SAFE4U will be based on the St Luke’s Hospital site in Armagh and will provide assessment, education and therapy.

It has been established following a pilot in collaboration with the PSNI and the publication of the Lord Gillen Report on serious sexual offences, the evaluation highlighted improved opportunities for children and young people to provide their evidence to the courts in relation to abuse and exploitation.

Leanne Spratt, Acting Assistant Director for Safeguarding, explained that SAFE4U now covers Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB), Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). 

“It marks a significant step forward in our commitment to supporting children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse and exploitation. From the outset, SAFE4U was designed to ensure that no young person faces the challenges of sexual abuse alone.” 

She added: “The Trust’s Estates Department had a key role in the design and construction of a bespoke child friendly therapeutic space, which is stand alone and designed to create a positive environment to engage with children.  

“We worked in partnership with Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Department of Health and the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) to build a bespoke therapeutic facility for our most vulnerable children.”

 Donna Murphy, Interim Director of Children and Young People’s Services added: “Our vision for the Safe4U service is that every child and young person within the Southern Area receive specialist support based on their assessed needs and is trauma informed, so they can achieve their optimum potential and positive outcomes for the future. 

“A big thank you to our core staff and to our fantastic estates team for transforming previously unused space to the bespoke facility we have today. I believe this service can make a lasting difference to the lives of the children and young people that we will support within the Trust.”