SV2 earns Rainbow accreditation

Derbyshire-based charity SV2 has been officially recognised for its commitment to inclusively support people of all genders and ages who have experienced sexual abuse.

Rainbow Accreditation has been awarded by Derbyshire LGBT+ following a rigorous training and assessment programme delivered by the organisation.

SV2 will now continue to work in partnership with Derbyshire LGBT+ to further adapt and develop services for those who have experienced sexual abuse, regardless of when this occurred or whether the crimes have been reported to police.

The organisation will hold the accreditation for three years and will then be re-assessed to ensure the quality and inclusivity of its services for the LGBT+ community.

Derbyshire LGBT+ project officer John Yates-Harold, who designed the Rainbow Accreditation programme, explained that the process is purposefully rigorous: “We are working with more than 20 organisations across the city and county and many of those have been awarded Rainbow Accreditation.

“This is not just a tick box exercise.  We scrutinise the service user’s journey with an organisation to ensure that an accredited organisation truly provide an appropriate and inclusive service for people in our community.

“The rainbow symbol is easily recognisable for our community and should mean that this is a place or service where they will be welcome and accepted.

“I know that the Rainbow Accreditation will encourage more people from our community who have experienced sexual abuse to seek the help and support they need in a manner that they deserve.”

SV2 operates across the county in dedicated premises and community hubs. The charity supported 4,210 children, young people and adults between April 2023 and March 2024 through a range of services including ISVA support through the criminal justice system, counselling and therapy. Through education and professional training events 5,705 delegates were educated around sexual abuse.

Rachel Morris DL is CEO of SV2 which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.  She said: “We support people of all genders and ages who have experienced sexual abuse – regardless of when their experience occurred and whether or not they have reported the crimes to police.

“Many people still feel there is a stigma to sexual abuse and this is even more challenging for those in the LGBT+ community so it is important that we focus on breaking down the barriers to anyone seeking support.

“The Rainbow Accreditation process has been led by staff who identified the issues faced by many people in our local communities and who are all committed to ensuring our services are inclusive and appropriate to anyone needing support to move forward with their lives.”

Derbyshire LGBT+ CEO Ian Robson concluded: “To effectively work with people in our community, you need to understand us and that includes our history, culture and the language that we use.

“We want Derbyshire to be a place where everyone in the LGBT+ community can truly access the services they need and I applaud SV2 for the commitment they have shown to earn the Rainbow Accreditation.”

For more information about the services provided by SV2 and how to get help, please visit www.sv2.org.uk/, call, 01773 746115 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) or email help @ sv2.org.uk and for information about the Rainbow Accreditation, visit www.derbyshirelgbt.org.uk/accreditation