The Ferns Helpline Run by Mountain Healthcare
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You are not alone. Support after sexual violence in Suffolk.

A single, trusted place to find confidential, survivor-centred support — no matter where you start.
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ABOUT US

What is Suffolk Survivor Pathway

The Suffolk Survivor Pathway connects trusted local organisations to make sure you get the right support, at the right time — with no wrong door.

HOW WE SUPPORT YOU

How the Pathway Supports You

One Single Point of Entry

Wherever you reach out, you’ll be guided through the same supportive pathway.

No Wrong Door

You won’t be passed around or left without follow-up.

Working Together

Six specialist charities work together to coordinate care and support.

Clear & Accountable

Partners share responsibility, communication, and escalation when needed.

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Find Support Now

You can:
Talk to someone confidentially
Get practical or emotional support
Learn about your choices
Be supported whether or not you report to police

SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS

Under 18

Under 18
Over 18

Suffolk ISVA Service

(The Ferns ISVA Service)

What they do:
The Suffolk ISVA service, delivered through The Ferns, provides free, confidential, independent support to anyone in Suffolk affected by sexual abuse—regardless of when it occurred or whether it has been reported to police.
Support includes:
Emotional and practical advocacy for survivors
Explaining options around reporting to Police
Guidance and support through the criminal justice process
Referrals to counselling and other specialist services

Survivors in Transition

(SiT) – Suffolk

Who they support:
Adult survivors of sexual abuse, of all genders, across Suffolk.
Support
they offer:
Trauma-informed 1:1 and group therapy
Psycho-educational programmes
Counselling readiness (e.g., “Hold Fast” programme)
Advocacy and practical support
Peer support groups
Family support

Brave Futures

Who they support:
Children and young people up to age 18 who have experienced sexual abuse across Suffolk and Norfolk.
What they provide:
Specialist therapeutic support
Safe spaces to process trauma
Individual and small-group sessions
Support for siblings
Parents’ groups
Tools and strategies to move from victim to survivor

Restitute

Who they support:
Parents, carers, partners, family members and close friends who are supporting someone who has survived sexual or violent crime—sometimes referred to as “3rd-party victims”.
Support
includes:
Emotional support and a safe, confidential space to talk
Practical guidance to help carers manage complex situations
Recognition and advocacy for the often-overlooked needs of those caring for survivors

The Ferns Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

Mountain Healthcare

Who they support:
People of all ages in Suffolk who have experienced rape or sexual assault.
Services offered:
Services offered:
Medical care and crisis support
Forensic medical examinations (with option to store evidence without reporting to police)
Emotional support from crisis workers
Referrals to ISVAs, counselling, sexual health services
Open daily (appointments needed for visits.
Confidential and no obligation to report to police

IRIS

Suffolk

A. Iris – Community Sexual Assault Service (Suffolk GP Federation)
Who they support:
Anyone in Suffolk who has experienced any form of sexual violence at any point in their life.
Support
includes:
1:1 advocacy and emotional support
Individualised recovery plans
Peer groups, wellbeing sessions, resilience programme
Does NOT provide: Forensic examinations, therapy/ counselling, or criminal justice advice

Our
Commitment

Sexual Violence Providers No Wrong Door Pledge

Support that’s right for you, when you need it.

Following recent research undertaken by the University of Suffolk and Suffolk County Council’s VAWG strategy refresh we, the sexual violence service providers in Suffolk, have come together to make a shared commitment to ALL survivors of sexual violence - all ages, all genders, all ethnicities and all types of sexual violence (including those who have been affected).

Together, we pledge that any survivor of sexual violence who reaches out to any one of our organisations will be welcomed with compassion, dignity, and respect — and never turned away or signposted somewhere else. If we are not the right service to meet a specific survivors needs, we will ensure a warm, supported handover to the organisation that is. This pledge reflects our shared commitment to working collaboratively, reducing fragmentation, and ensuring that no survivor falls through the cracks during a system wide transitional period.
Together, we are building a seamless, survivor-centred network where no matter where you enter, you will find the care, safety, and support you deserve.
What this means:
Single Point of Entry: Individuals seeking support will encounter a unified and coordinated response, regardless of which partner organisation they contact first.
Shared Responsibility: Referrals, assessments, and support pathways will be navigated jointly, with no wrong door and no referrals without follow-up.
Interim Cohesion: This approach will serve as a stabilising arrangement while the broader system around us continues to evolve and restructure.
Transparency and Accountability: We will ensure clarity around roles, communication pathways, and escalation routes between all involved partners.
We recognise that systemic transformation takes time. During this period of uncertainty, we jointly remain focused on what matters most: the safety, empowerment, and wellbeing of survivors in Suffolk (children, young people & adults of all genders, all ethnicities).

This pledge reflects not only our individual values, but our collective responsibility, resilience, and care.
Cath Pickles, Restitute
Fiona Ellis OBE, Survivors In Transition
Fiona Quinn, Mountain Healthcare
Kate Grimwood, Brave Futures 
Louise Elmy, Iris
Natalie McCarthy, ISVA Service
© 2026 Suffolk Survivor Pathway. All Rights Reserved.
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