Sue Lambert Trust issues plea to voters ahead of election

Sue Lambert Trust’s chief executive, Clive Evans, has issued a plea to voters to ask them to pause and think about survivors when voting in this week’s general election on July 4. 

He said: “Demand for our services continues to grow, and sadly, more people than ever need our support. 

“Living with the trauma of sexual abuse can hold people back in so many areas of their lives – their work, careers, healthy relationships, physical health - and result in lifelong mental health concerns.  

“But we know that with access to specialist, skilled, professional counselling support, people can heal.” 

Sue Lambert Trust (Image: Julian Claxton)

According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales in the year ending December 2023 3,361 sexual offences were recorded in Norfolk, but many more go unreported.  

In 2023/24, The charity supported 610 people from Norfolk, up from 577 in 2022/23. 

Before going to the polls, the charity is asking people to consider which party will support funding for professional and specialist support, lifelong mental health support for survivors, and making sure counselling is an accessible career for all. 

The charity is also calling for a stronger stance against sexually violent crimes and creating a cohesive and kinder society. 

Clive Evans (Image: Sue Lambert Trust)

Mr Evans added: “We believe that victims deserve to have a voice, to be heard and they deserve access to professional support. 

“We are calling for more investment in mental health and specialist counselling services, quicker and fairer action in our courts for sexual assault victims, and more investment in the education of counsellors so that more people can upskill and provide the much-needed therapy that too many sexual abuse survivors are waiting to access.” 

In May, Sue Lambert Trust became a member of the Survivors Trust network.