about us

Rape Crisis (England and Wale ) was set up and registered as a charity to support the work of Rape Crisis centres in England and Wales. It provides co-ordination and support to affiliated member groups and campaigns and lobbies to raise awareness of the issues of sexual violence in the wider community and with local, regional and national government.

Rape Crisis acknowledges all forms of sexual violence including; rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, sexual harassment, rape in marriage, forced marriage, and so-called honour-based violence, female genital mutilation, trafficking and sexual exploitation and ritual abuse irrespective of whether the violence is from known or unknown perpetrators.

Rape Crisis groups are autonomous, but have come together to work under the umbrella of Rape Crisis (England and Wales).

Rape Crisis (England and Wales) wants all women and girls to be free from the fear and experience of sexual violence.

Rape Crisis (England and Wales) is a feminist organisation which exists to promote the needs of women and girls, who have experienced sexual violence, to improve services to them and to work towards the elimination of sexual violence.

The first Rape Crisis Centre opened in 1973 and is independent of the government and the criminal justice system. Rape Crisis Centres are frontline services providing crucial support and independent advocacy for all women and girls of all ages who have experienced any form of sexual violence. Rape Crisis centres aim to offer specialist support, advocacy, counselling and information to women and girls, free of charge and in confidence, in a safe and non-threatening environment.