RASASC Launches Awareness Drive to Tackle Surge in Holiday-Related Reports of Sexual Violence

Statistics for the year ending March 2023 revealed an alarming 17% surge in referrals from across Knowsley and St Helens when compared with the previous year, with January witnessing a staggering 40% rise in reports compared to the monthly average.

This concerning trend emphasizes the critical need to educate and empower individuals on staying safe during the Christmas season. RASASC urges the local community to be vigilant and proactive in preventing incidents of sexual violence, abuse and rape.

Read more.

North West Sexual Violence Week 2023

North West Sexual Violence Awareness Week is set to return from 3 – 10 November 2023. Led by North West Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), police services, and sexual assault and abuse services, this vital initiative aims to raise awareness of sexual violence and the support services available to survivors.

In addition to raising awareness of vital services and support available, this year will see the awareness week introduce new social media features with a powerful goal – shatter the myths that underpin victim blaming.

The initiative will aim to educate about the different ways survivors can respond to trauma and why reporting or seeking help may not happen immediately. In addition, it strives to debunk myths about sexual violence while championing facts, supporting the criminal justice system’s campaign to combat persistent issues and stereotypes.

Julie Evans, Director of Operations at RASASC Cheshire and Merseyside, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire John Dwyer and Joint Clinical Director Dr Michelle Carrol at Saint Mary’s SARC discuss the importance of North West Sexual Violence Week and how they will be supporting their new social media campaign to shatter myths and stereotypes.

Read more here.

RASASC Receives Vital National Lottery Funding to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence across Cheshire and Halton

RASASC Cheshire and Merseyside has secured a significant grant of £259,869 from The National Lottery Community Fund. This substantial funding will drive our new 5-year project aimed at providing essential wellbeing support to survivors of sexual violence across Cheshire and Halton.

The newly funded project will provide person-centred support to survivors and places a strong emphasis on recovery, healing and social inclusion. It features a comprehensive program that offers activities and groups directly related to both physical and mental health, such as walking, mindfulness, gardening and creative writing.

These groups are set to launch in early 2024 and information will be shared via our website and social media channels. They will run alongside the core services we currently provide for children, young people and adults across Cheshire and Merseyside, including specialist counselling, pre-trial therapy and their independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA) service.

If you are a survivor who is interested in being kept updated about the progress of these groups, or, if you are a community group or venue interested in supporting this project, please contact us at support@rapecentre.org.uk.

Fundraiser- Abseil down Liverpool Cathedral

We are so pleased to have been selected to raise money for by Emma. Emma is bravely taking on the this abseil to raise both awareness and fund for our charity. To read more about Emma’s journey or for details on how to support Emma please click the link below.

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/abseiling-challenge?fbclid=IwAR26wlHCeKhFQ1tCBla-WNsEtW7436qsaBX4PgtPW54DSiYn3JTWqW_nBcg

Fundraiser- Rachel is taking on a Ultra Marathon 50K

Rachel is bravely taking on this Ultra Marathon 50K to raise money for our charity. To support Rachel to meet her goal of raising £250, please visit her just giving page to show your support. What an inspiration!

Rach Wild is fundraising for Rape And Sexual Abuse Support Centre (Cheshire And Merseyside) (justgiving.com)

Safer Streets 'No More Excuses'

RASASC is working in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire to understand how violence against women and girls (VAWG) is affecting women in Cheshire, and how we can find a solution to make areas safer.

Safer Streets is a Home Office fund that supports police forces in order to prevent, reduce and tackle neighbourhood crime, anti social behaviour and violence against women and girls.

For more details visit- https://saferstreetscheshire.co.uk

International Women's Day 2023

We are proud to be supporting International Women’s Day this year, embracing the theme of #Equity.

Celebrating our inspirational women who access our services to the women who run our charity, provide counselling and ISVA support for those who need us.

IWD: International Women’s Day 2023 campaign theme: #EmbraceEquity (internationalwomensday.com)

Holli Guard- Personal Safety App

Hollie Guard is a next generation smartphone app that provides enhanced levels of protection. Whether you’re working alone, travelling to an unknown area or simply commuting around town, you can set extra levels of protection from right inside the App.

– Journey Feature: This feature allows you to track a journey, ensuring you are safe wherever you travel.

– Alert Feature: This feature allows you to set an alert that will notify your designated person if anything happens.

– Meeting Feature: This feature is useful for meeting new people, allowing you to set an alert timer.

Hollie Guard – Personal Safety App

Launch of Cheshire Police ‘No More Excuses’ Campaign – Hollie Gazzard Trust