ABOUTBy women for women / The national picture / Campaigning / Funding Bristol Rape Crisis is a specialist support service for women and girls in and around Bristol who have experienced any form of sexual violence, at any point in their lives. This includes: rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, incest, sexual domestic violence, trafficking and sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation, ritual abuse, forced marriage, crimes in the name of honour, sexual intimidation, coercion or harassment, whether physical or verbal. We offer a confidential helpline. Our organisation is run by women for women. We listen and believe. We support women and girls to explore their thoughts, feelings and options. We can provide information and sign-posting when required. We are here to listen, we do not advise, direct or persuade women take any particular course of action. We believe the woman is the best person to decide what is right for her, and we will support her whatever she decides. We believe rape and sexual violence is never the fault of the victim-survivor. Bristol Rape Crisis also supports the friends and family of people affected by sexual violence. Bristol Rape Crisis currently offers a helpline service which launched in August 2009. We offer a helpline service twice a week but plan to extend the helpline and develop the service we offer women in the future. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BY WOMEN FOR WOMENRape Crisis wants all women and girls to be free from the fear and experience of sexual violence. We recognise that rape and sexual violence is a gendered crime, which is predominantly perpertrated by men against women and children. In response to this we are a women only service, exempt under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 Section 7 (ii) and (e). Bristol Rape Crisis is a feminist organisation, this ethos underpins both what our service is and how it is run, it means that:
As a women only service do not offer long-term support to men or boys who have been victims of sexual violence, but we can offer sign-posting. We also work with the supporters of women who have experienced sexual violence, these may be their families, friends, or partners, and these may include men and boys. For services for male victims-survivors of sexual violence please see our Resources and Links – Male organisation page. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT RAPE CRISIS - THE NATIONAL PICTUREBristol Rape Crisis is affiliated to Rape Crisis (England and Wales), which is an umbrella organisation that supports Rape Crisis Centres all over the country. Rape Crisis is independent of the government and the criminal justice system. Rape Crisis Centres are frontline services providing crucial and independent support for all women and girls of all ages who have experienced any form of sexual violence. The first Rape Crisis Centre opened in 1973. Rape Crisis Centres aim to offer specialist support, advocacy, counseling and information to women and girls, free of charge and in confidence, in a safe and non-threatening environment. To find out more about Rape Crisis (England and Wales), or to find a centre near you go to: www.rapecrisis.org.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAMPAIGNINGBristol Rape Crisis works to raise awareness of sexual violence and challenge the myths and mis-conceptions about it. We lobby and campaign locally and nationally to promote the needs of women and girls. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUNDINGBristol Rape Crisis is funded by Bristol City Council as part of a city wide commitment to tackle sexual violence. |
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