Our counselling service
Many people who have experienced sexual assault find it helpful to talk to a counsellor. SACC’s counsellors have the experience and sensitivity needed to support sexual assault victims.
SACC services are conducted in English only. If you are unable to speak English, or if you are referring someone who is unable to speak English, please consider reaching out to the National Anti-Violence Hotline at 1800 777 0000 (24/7 with services in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil).
Counselling fees are based on a sliding scale. As of 1 July 2021*, if your monthly salary is $3,000 and above, each session will cost 2% of your salary. For example, if you earn $4,000 per month, your charge will be $80 per session. If you are not working, or your salary is below $3,000, you will be charged a flat fee of $35 per session.
Each counselling session is an hour long, by appointment only. Sessions are held at the AWARE Centre or over Zoom, Mon-Fri, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last appointment at 7 p.m.). Reach out to SACC through these channels to request counselling services.
* These changes come into effect on 1 July 2021 and apply to all new and existing clients. If you are an existing client, you will be given a grace period. You can discuss this with your counsellor. Read more here.
How counselling can help
Survivors of sexual assault react in different ways to the trauma they faced. While some may show their feelings of anger, hurt and fear, others may choose not to show it at all. Some survivors may also struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. To read more about PTSD, click here.
Some of the common reactions of a survivor are as follows:
- Shock – how could this happen to me?
- Guilt – I was partly at fault. I shouldn’t have gone there.
- Denial – It was nothing, I’ll just get over it.
- Shame – What would people think of me? I feel so dirty.
- Confusion – I don’t know what to think of it. I don’t know what I’m feeling.
- Numbness – Why am I so calm? Am I supposed to cry? I don’t want to feel anything.
- Fear – I’m afraid of that person, I’m afraid of going to certain places, I’m afraid of people who look like that.
- Anger – I hate everyone, I want to hurt him.
If these feelings are left unattended, they can further lead into phobias, relationship and intimacy issues, flashbacks and other issues that may leave a significant negative impact. It can be really helpful to talk to an experienced counsellor who can work with you to provide an empowering experience.
One of the common reasons not to seek counselling is that it is believed to be just like having a heart to heart talk with a friend. However, seeing a trained professional is very different. Counselling encourages self-reflection and independent thinking. The focus is on you and the sessions are designed to help you discover what you really want for yourself.
Our counsellors are trained and understand the unique nature of sexual assault trauma on victims. Counselling sessions can help you to cope with the physical and emotional effects of sexual assault and provide support to make decisions about your next steps.
Other counselling services
Here are some other agencies that provide counselling. Unfortunately we are not able to make referrals to these organisations, so do give them a call to make an appointment for their services.
Counselling and Care Centre
Tel: 6536 6366
Blk 536 Upper Cross Street
#05-241 Hong Lim Complex
Singapore 050536
Care Corner
Tel: 6250 6813
8 New Industrial Road
#06-03 LHK3 Building
Singapore 536200
REACH Counselling Centre
Tel: 6801 0730
Block 307 Shunfu Road #01-137
Singapore 570307
Singapore Counselling Centre
Tel: 6339 5411
Email: counselling@scc.sg
Comcare Helpline
Tel: 1 800 222 0000
Call the Comcare Hotline to find a counsellor near where you live. They will direct you to the nearest Family Service Centre.
Resources for counsellors
Useful resources for counsellors to work with vulnerable groups who have faced sexual violence, can be found here.
Feedback
We strive for everyone in our community to receive the best possible support. We welcome feedback, good or bad, from people who have accessed Sexual Assault Care Centre services. Please provide your feedback to us using this form.
No Abuse Tolerated
We reserve the right to refuse our services to callers or clients who are abusive towards AWARE volunteers and staff. Abuse is any unwelcome, unwarranted and uninvited conduct or behaviour that discomfits, demeans, humiliates, insults, threatens, intimidates, alarms, distresses, offends, bullies, coerces, exploits or otherwise violates the dignity of another individual. This includes verbal and physical abuse, bullying, intimidation, stalking, unwelcome sexual attention and misogynist, racist, xenophobic, homophobic, transphobic and ableist remarks.
Related Links
Talk to us
What is sexual assault?
What is consent?
Legal information
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