1 in 12 adults in Norfolk are living with the trauma of sexual abuse, sexual violence or rape

It’s a statistic that’s hard to read, and even harder to live with.

As the leading specialist charity supporting survivors in Norfolk and Waveney, we at Sue Lambert Trust are sharing this figure during Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week (2–8 February) to shine a spotlight on the scale of trauma affecting thousands of people in our local communities.

Behind every number is a person. A friend. A colleague. A teammate. Someone who may be carrying pain silently.

We are thankful to the sports teams at the University of East Anglia Students Union for partnering with us, to spread this message.

Making the invisible visible

To help people better understand just how many lives are affected, we have team up with sports teams from the University of East Anglia Students Union.

Each squad brought together 12 players, representing the 1 in 12 adults in Norfolk who have suffered sexual abuse or rape, and live with this trauma.

Golfers, rugby players, cheerleaders and many other sporty students shared photos to show survivors they are not alone. Out of 12 players, one person is dressed in purple – our colour – to remind us all that sexual abuse and sexual violence can affect anyone, from any background, at any stage of life, and to demonstrate that survivors have people on their side.

Why this matters

Many survivors never disclose what has happened to them. And the 1 in 12 figure only includes those who have reported or shared their experience, meaning the true number of people from Norfolk is likely much higher.

Alicia Khuttan, Women’s Officer at UEA Students’ Union, explains why awareness matters:

“Sexual abuse, rape and sexual violence are far more common in our communities than many people realise. Victims often remain silent, carrying shame and pain alone. This week is about speaking up for survivors and making it clear that support is available.

“The 1 in 12 figure shows that anyone can be affected, people of all ages and backgrounds., but the impact lasts a lifetime. Until these crimes are eradicated from society, specialist therapy and counselling must be properly funded and accessible.”

The lasting impact of trauma

Without access to specialist support, survivors are far more likely to experience poor physical and mental health. Research by the Independent Inquiry into Childhood Sexual Abuse (from 2017) shows that survivors are more likely to experience major depression, PTSD and self-harm, and are six times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.

At Sue Lambert Trust, we support our clients through this every day.

Demand is rising and so are waiting lists

Our CEO, Clive Evans, says the scale of need in Norfolk is growing faster than our services can keep up.

“Friends, colleagues, classmates or teammates, there are people all around us living silently with this pain. And this 1 in 12 figure only reflects those who have come forward. Every survivor deserves to be heard, to heal and to rebuild their life, whether or not they’ve reported to the police or disclosed to someone they trust.”

Despite doing everything possible to support survivors across Norfolk, our counselling waiting list currently stands at 588 people.

In August 2025, we launched an online self-referral service to remove barriers to accessing help. Picking up the phone was preventing some people from asking for help, and the online form we now offer removes that.  More people are courageously saying they need our support, and since it went live, we’ve received an average of 90 new referrals every month.

“Asking for help takes enormous courage,” Clive adds. “While it’s encouraging that more people are reaching out, we are overwhelmed. There is simply nowhere else in Norfolk offering this level of specialist counselling, we are it.

“Survivors should not be left waiting, coping alone with their trauma. We urgently need long-term, sustainable funding so no one has to suffer in silence.”

How you can help

There is always hope.  That’s a message we want all survivors to hear.

Support is available, change is possible, but everyone has a role to play.

You can:

• Write to your local Norfolk or Waveney MP, highlighting the 1 in 12 figure and calling for increased funding for our specialist counselling services
• Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed and help amplify survivors’ voices
• Fundraise for Sue Lambert Trust, including taking part in the Norwich Abseil on 16^th May or supporting us in your own way Start Fundraising | Sue Lambert Trust

Together, we can make sure survivors are heard, supported and never left to cope alone.

Thank you again to all the groups at UEA SU for being on our team.

Societies taking part in the 1 in 12 photos were:

Cheer Dance  • Futsal • Cheer Stunt • Tennis • Pole Fitness • Golf  • Women’s Rugby • American Football