Rape Crisis England & Wales

✨ We asked subscribers to our newsletter what their hopes are for women and girls in the next 50 years. Read what they told us in the comments ⬇️ At Rape Crisis England & Wales we want a world without sexual violence where all women and girls live safely, freely and with dignity. Every day we work towards that vision. #16DaysOfActivism

❗ The vast majority of reported rapes will not be charged, so for the few survivors who do have some hope of justice to abandon their cases because of long court delays is devastating. For the last two years, Rape Crisis workers have been telling us that this is now the biggest issue affecting victims and survivors seeking justice. 🗎 In our #BreakingPoint report, we looked at how the Crown Court's backlog of cases is re-traumatising survivors of rape and sexual violence. Please read the report and our recommendations for change: https://bit.ly/4eO13fP https://lnkd.in/eed2xf9T

For #16DaysOfActivism against Gender-Based Violence, we'll be reflecting on the positive changes the Rape Crisis movement has made and exploring what the next 50 years of feminist action could bring to the fight against sexual violence and abuse.  ℹ️ Facing governments, health services and criminal justice systems unwilling to help survivors of rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence, women began to take matters into their own hands. The Rape Crisis movement was born. We are so grateful to those women and the important work they've done to support survivors.

"Rape culture is infused into the very veins of society, a blood-borne disease that must be called out at every single opportunity until we are red in the face." https://lnkd.in/eeQvkgBK

As Gisèle Pelicot's mass rape trial draws to a close, we're sending our thoughts and strength to her and to all survivors of sexual violence and abuse. Gisele has courageously exposed the reality of rape to the world, placing shame where it belongs - back on to the perpetrators. As she rightly asserts, "It's time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivialises rape changes." We know this case is not an isolated incident. There are many more victims of male violence whose stories have not been reported in the media, and many more women and girls who will be subjected to sexual violence and abuse. This is why we will continue to fight against rape culture and to challenge the institutions, systems, and social norms that enable sexual violence. If you need support – we are here for you, at any time of the day or night: https://bit.ly/4fy3S61

Last week we welcomed over 260 women working and volunteering across the Rape Crisis network to our 20th annual conference! It was a privilege to hear from our sisters about the important and innovative work they're doing in their Rape Crisis centres to support survivors and create change. We also celebrated another important milestone, as this year marks 50 years of the Rape Crisis movement in England & Wales. It was special to reflect on and honour our collective herstory and share our hopes for the future. Thank you to those who spoke at, attended and supported our conference. We look forward to the next one!

We still believe in a society where sexual violence and abuse isn’t normalised. And maybe even one, some day, where it doesn’t exist at all. We'll continue our fight to end rape culture because we believe, with your help, we can create lasting change. Read more about rape culture and how you can help us to end it: https://bit.ly/3Z02OSs

📄 Last week we released our joint report with Imkaan, Not Safe Here. The report details how women who arrive in the UK in search of sanctuary are instead trapped within a system that puts them at further risk of sexual violence, abuse and exploitation – a system that exacerbates their trauma and fails to provide vital support.  https://lnkd.in/eKv82JuN Urgent changes are needed to safeguard vulnerable asylum-seeking women and girls. Read our report and the full list of recommendations: https://bit.ly/4fG4Xs1

The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is for anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales who has been affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or any other form of sexual violence – at any point in their life. This includes people who have experienced sexual violence or abuse themselves, as well as their friends, family or anyone else who is trying to support them. Visit our website to find out more and get in touch: https://bit.ly/3YVfNFf

Today sees the launch of our joint report with Imkaan, #NotSafeHere, which reveals how the UK asylum system is re-traumatising women and girls who have fled rape and sexual abuse and is putting them at risk of further harm. 📝 https://bit.ly/3YG6Ii7 The women we spoke to in the report told us: ❌ They do not feel safe, physically or psychologically, while living in Home Office provided asylum accommodation. ❌ They have faced further sexual violence and threats of sexual violence while living in asylum accommodation. ❌ That they are being forced to share spaces – including bedrooms – with strangers. 📣 Refugee and asylum-seeking survivors deserve better. We are calling for urgent changes, starting with appropriate and safe accommodation. Can you show solidarity with women and children living in asylum accommodation? Please read and share our report: https://bit.ly/3YG6Ii7 #NotSafeHere #RapeCrisis #Imkaan