Denis Stubley from Yorkshire NER Freemasons with Richinda Taylor. Behind Richinda are two of their specialist child counsellors, Kim Johnson immediately behind Richinda, then Mike Roberts and next to Mike is Cheryl Trelfa.

At least 120 local children and young people who have been victims of domestic and sexual abuse will receive the help and support they need thanks to a grant of £57,000 from Yorkshire North and East Ridings Freemasons to the EVA Women’s Aid charity.

The grant will fund an additional Counsellor to enable the charity to increase their capacity to help more children on their waiting list. The Counsellor will offer sessions for as long as the child needs them and will be free of charge.

Children involved in domestic violence and sexual abuse can be withdrawn, unhappy and struggle to form relationships. They are more at risk of becoming embroiled in unhealthy relationships themselves, may have difficulty recognising and managing their emotions, struggle to express themselves and can adopt harmful coping strategies.

A child’s education can often suffer, leading to life-long disadvantage, family relationships may be damaged and they can experience feelings of hopelessness. There can be physical danger too, directly from a perpetrator, or perhaps when trying to protect another victim.

EVA’s service helps the child to develop more positive relationships, be able to identify and understand their feelings and emotions and express themselves in a more positive way. Finally they are able to come to terms with the trauma they have experienced.

The Borough of Redcar and Cleveland is one of the 10 per cent of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country with high numbers of domestic abuse and sexual violence rates. The Femicide Census, released in 2021, identifies Cleveland as having the highest number of female killings rates in the UK. Children and young people witnessing this abuse can be impacted as well as those experiencing the abuse themselves, and this can affect all areas of their lives.

The true extent of child sexual abuse will never be known, but NSPCC research suggests one in 20 children in the UK have been sexually abused. Often, this is not disclosed until adulthood, if at all.

The impact of abuse can be devastating and affect all parts of a survivor’s life. For children and young people, who may not easily have the language to express themselves, it takes time and patience to develop the positive working relationship with the Counsellor before they are able to begin talking about their thoughts and feelings about the abuse the have suffered. EVA’s Team of Specialist Children and Young People’s Counsellors have a wealth of approaches, techniques and ‘tools’ at their disposal to help children through their ‘cope and recovery’ journey.

EVA Women’s Aid is an independent charity providing a range of specialist support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence throughout Redcar and Cleveland. Established in 1987, it now works with over 1,000 service users every year through its services including Safe House accommodation, accredited programmes, schools workshops, family work and a full Counselling service for women, children and young people.

The grant from Yorkshire North and East Riding Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

Richinda Taylor, CEO at Yorkshire Women’s Aid, said:

‘We’re very grateful to Yorkshire Freemasons for their generous grant. It will allow us to help more children who are, or have been, victims of sexual violence, abuse and exploitation with their recovery journey. This can and does affect all areas of their lives, now and in the future.”

Denis Stubley, a Senior Freemason from Yorkshire North and East Ridings said:

“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help EVA Women’s Aid with their hugely important work. Domestic abuse and violence can have a devastating effect on children, with lasting emotional and often physical damage. It can also badly disrupt a child’s education and take away so many chances for a bright future. This underlines the caring nature of Freemasonry and our intention to support and engage with our local communities”.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

EVA can be contacted on 01642 49067, Address – EVA’s House, 86 High Street, Redcar, TS10 3DL, Website –  www.evawomensaid.org.uk Facebook – Eva’s House, Twitter – @evawomensaid1, Instagram - evawomensaid

About Eva Women’s Aid

EVA Women’s Aid is a multi-award winning, independent registered Charity delivering specialist services across Redcar and Cleveland. They have 35 years of experience supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. As a single-sex service, they work primarily with women, but also with children and young people of all genders under the age of 18.

For further information about the Masonic Charitable Foundation, please contact Guy Roberts, Press Officer (groberts@mcf.org.uk |0203 146 3311)

About the Masonic Charitable Foundation

The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the MCF awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities that help vulnerable people, advance medical research and provide opportunities for young people. The MCF also helps to fund vital services such as hospices and air ambulances and regularly contributes to worldwide appeals for disaster relief. In total, MCF support helps to improve the lives of thousands of people every year in England, Wales and internationally. As well as providing grants to charities, the MCF supports Freemasons and their families with a financial, health or family need. Visit www.mcf.org.uk