Survivors

Fay’s Skydive Story

“When I’d landed, if someone had said the plane was going to go up again and there was a space for me, I would have gone straight back up and done it again!”

Bad Experience, not Bad Character: campaign win

Earlier this year, Rape Crisis, along with Centre for Women’s Justice, End Violence Against Women Coalition, Imkaan and Rights of Women, launched a joint #BadExperiencesNotBadCharacter campaign.

Izzy’s London Landmarks Half Marathon Story

“It was a lot harder than I thought! But it was just so much fun, and I was so proud of myself for doing it.”

SARSAS Awarded £260K Community Fund Grant!

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that SARSAS has been awarded a £260,000 grant from The National Lottery’s Reaching Communities Fund.

Keeping Counselling Confidential: campaign win

As one of 36 member centres of Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW), we’re celebrating a major step forward in protecting survivors’ privacy. Thanks to RCEW and partner organisations, new legislation will safeguard counselling notes – a key outcome of the powerful Keep Counselling Confidential campaign.

For subject names please contact info@toucan-productions.co.uk or GSKIMPACTAwards@gsk.com

Introducing our new strategy

We are thrilled to share our new three-year strategy, which sets out the direction and priorities for SARSAS as we continue our vital work supporting survivors and challenging sexual violence.

SARSAS Supporter Celebration: an evening of courage, healing & hope

On Thursday 9 October, the SARSAS community came together at Hamilton House in Bristol, to celebrate, give thanks, and share our vision for the years ahead.

Two terracotta plant pots on a table. The pot on the left has been decorated with blue squiggly lines and a purple trim with yellow star. The pot on the right has been decorated with different shapes and patterns, including triangles, dots and lines using blue, yellow, red and purple.

Holding Space: a peer support group for older women

Last month, we launched a new peer support group for older women (aged 55 and over) who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives.

Robbie’s London Marathon Story

“For about 8 months on and off I was emailing your support team, and the support and compassion was absolutely incredible.”

Making Waves: building confidence and connection on the water

Earlier this year, we partnered with All-Aboard Watersports – a charity that helps people access watersports in the heart of Bristol Harbour. Together, we ran a weekly group for eight survivors currently waiting for support with SARSAS.

Several sheets of music are scattered overlapping one another. A pair of white and red headphones is on the left hand side. A red wire coming from one of the headphone ears is attached to a red heart.

The power of creativity in healing: songs of survival

Recently, two people reached out to us independently, each having recorded a song about their personal experiences of sexual violence. Their powerful and deeply moving songs serve as a testament to resilience, and we’re honoured they asked us to share their work.

Standing on a wooden shelf are letters spelling out the word shame balanced. Each letter is carved out to create a stamp.

Shame must change sides

In four words, Gisèle Pelicot articulated what all women around the world need to hear. I want to explore the experience of shame as a victim of rape, because sometimes it’s just not as easy as “I shouldn’t be ashamed, so I won’t be”.

Red brick wall surrounded by grass with a black and silver sign saying 'University'. Trees in the background and a redbrick building in the distance.

Rape Culture: not just a buzzword

A university student, who experienced sexual violence during the first month of enrolling, reflects on the aftermath and the pervasive nature of rape culture on campus and within wider society.