Podcast: The experiences of specialist support services for women who have experienced sexual violence and sexual abuse
Welcome to the second podcast for the We Care series.
In this episode the panel explore the experiences of specialist support services for women who have experienced sexual violence and sexual abuse.
The discussion focuses on some of the barriers that women face to accessing cervical screening care and explores some of the key principles around the compassionate care model of cervical screening.
Panel:
Ceryl Davies, of the Health Economics and Medical Evaluation Centre at Bangor University.
Kalpa Pisavadia, PHD Student at the Health Economics and Medical Evaluation Centre at Bangor University.
Lucy Duckworth - Survivors Trust
Sara Kirkpatrick - Welsh Women's Aid
Shirley McCann - Volunteer & Events Manager Stepping Stones North Wales
Content warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence and sexual abuse, which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening.
We Care is a podcast series exploring how cervical screening can be delivered in ways that are compassionate, sensitive, and responsive to women who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. Drawing on international research across Wales, England, Sweden, and Australia, the series brings together lived experiences, practitioner insight, and system-level perspectives to examine the enablers and barriers to women feeling safe and respected in screening settings.
The series sits alongside a wider research project developing a compassionate care model of cervical screening. It not only explores practical improvements in communication, choice, and service design, but also applies health and care economics to assess impact and value. By combining lived experience, co-production, and economic evaluation, We Care aims to support screening services that are both person-centred and sustainable, strengthening trust, access, and outcomes for women.
Listen to the podcast