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Buddy system or SA representatives to connect to during police and court process

Proposal Summary

The police and court system is a very lonely and difficult journey to go through, being able to reach out to survivors who have walked the path before would be really helpful

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When I went through the police and court process, I was very alone and this impacted on all friendships I had around me. Not many of them survived. I thought often that there must be people out there who have been through this. It was a hard journey to walk, and each step required me to try to learn more about the police and court system while I was in a trauma mindset which was very difficult. I did my best, however, there should have been more help and I shouldn't have been alone for the final sentencing. I am not sure how to improve this but there should be someone reaching out as soon as someone begins a statement to guide them through the system, and calmly help people to make sense of the system and the supports available because they are unclear and currently this isn't victim centred. 

There should also be more clear pathways to healing after going through the police and court process with healing options in both group and individual settings and some way to share stories from experiences on what helped and what didn't to feel like we are contributing to a brighter, safer future together.

• Effective funding models for supporting recovery after sexual violence