30 Years of RASA

RASA
Merseyside

30 Years of RASA
1986 - 2016

Listening without judgement .  ..
Believing without question .  ..
Supporting without discrimination .  ..

Since 1986

Registered Charity Number 1094462
Company Limited by Guarantee Number 4538556

This Celebration of
30 Years of RASA is
dedicated, not only to
the bravery and endurance
of all sexual violence
survivors across the UK,
but also to the men and
women whose commitment
and tireless efforts have,
against all odds, ensured
the continuation of support
to them.

2

Contents

1986: 2008 - 2011: 16

Diane Sindall – 5 Expansions and Expenses
A Catalyst to Action
 The Merseyside SARC
1986 - 1990:  RASA in Liverpool
 Visitors and Awards
The Fight Begins  RASA in Sefton

6 2011 - 2014:

1990 - 1995: Demand vs Deposits 20

Onwards and Upwards 8  Trials and Tribulations
 Developments
1996 - 2000: 10  RASA in West Wirral
 Campaigning for Change
The Birth of RASA Merseyside
- Justice for Jane
 From WRCCS to RASA  Meeting the Challenge
 Social Media and Success

2000 - 2007: 2015:

21st Century RASA 12 Great Expectations 27

 Volunteers  Sunflowers
 Media Contacts
 RASA at 21  Moving to Bootle
 The Change - The Move - Consolidating Our Support Services

Into Professionally Recognised  Fundraising - The Hard Way
Service Delivery
- Independent Sexual  RASA Education
Violence Advisors (ISVA’s)
 Lime Culture and the Truth Project

2016: 32

RASA Merseyside at 30

3

Ce lebrating 30 Yearsof RASA

Written to
document and
celebrate the
history of RASA
Merseyside and all
that the organisation
has achieved over the
three decades since it
was founded in 1986.

In the face of financial instability, organisational
challenge and a constantly increasing client
base RASA has endeavoured to make one
thing constant; that this is an organisation
for survivors, fighting for, and fighting with,
them at every stage of the recovery process
without charge.
However, it must also be recognised as a
testament to the importance and monumental
need for such specialist services to continue
their work. RASA continues to provide
emotional and practical support to survivors of
rape and sexual abuse; non-recent, recent or
current, as well as promoting, and fighting for,
institutional and societal change at every level.

4

1986

Diane Sindall – A Catalyst to Action

In the early 1980’s, sexual nature of Diane’s death and how easily it could
violence against women have been prevented, a change in attitude
within Merseyside was a largely and the very first ‘Reclaim the Night’ march in
unexplored and unpublicised issue; Liverpool presented the perfect opportunity to
strike. Round a small kitchen in a Birkenhead
with most areas having limited, if not home, the Wirral Rape Crisis Counselling
non-existent, support available to survivors. Service (WRCCS) was founded.
Against a backdrop of increasing feminist
uprisings across Europe, a small group of local The Charity was founded &
students discussed the possibility of bringing registered on 28th September
a women’s organisation to Wirral. 1987 with the charitable objects:
- “To relieve the mental and
It wasn’t until August 1986 when 21-year physical distress of women
old Diane Sindall was brutally raped and and girls who have suffered
murdered just feet away from a busy main rape or sexual assault.”
road in Birkenhead, that it was decided enough
was enough. With local women appalled at the

5

1986 - 1990

The Fight Begins

Within months of Diane’s death, and with
virtually no experience or financial support,
the WRCCS had established the service aims
and objectives that would remain at its very
core for decades to come. Underpinning
each, a global ethos that rape and sexual
violence has a devastating effect on both
those targeted as well those who love them;
and is no respecter of age, race or status.

The WRCCS recognised
those affected not as victims
but survivors.

The WRCCS aims to: A page from the first Annual Report

1. Offer free and confidential service The agency declared that counselling
to women and girls affected by sexual sessions would be held in a safe location
violence, both historic and recent chosen by the woman and would be
self-referred, nondirective and last as
2. Provide accessible support by long as needed. Information would be
telephone and in person; both given on sexual health, contraception,
practical and emotional pregnancy and legal proceedings when
requested; as well as accompaniment to
3. Educate both public and professionals GP, hospital, police and court appointments.
on issues of sexual violence; in In essence, the role we today call an ISVA,
training and campaigning was launched.

4. Work in opposition to racism, classism,
misogyny and discrimination of
any demographic

5. Link with other organisations of similar
goal and philosophy, ensuring the
most holistic service for survivors

6

Helpline
number is

0151 - 666
- 1392

Within a couple of years, support to local schools, With 45.9% of disclosures
the organisation received raising awareness of sexual reporting assault committed
its first grant from the Local violence issues in children by people known to the
Authority’s Inner Area and young people. survivor and only 8.5% by
Programme and employed unknown perpetrators,
a full time paid worker In July 1987, the common myths of “stranger
to handle administrative helpline was rape” and situational blame
burdens; as well as liaise launched. The could begin to be challenged.
with other organisations, allocated number
statutory and non-statutory, has been used The high proportion of silent
and establish membership of ever since. calls was noted early on. We
likeminded feminist groups understand how difficult it can
(e.g. the Wirral Working Party By September 1990 the be to make that first call and
for Women Survivors of Rape helpline, staffed entirely by every silent call is, and always
and Sexual Assault and the volunteers, ran twice a week will be, logged and recorded
Citizen’s Advice Bureau). between 7-9pm on Thursdays to validate the effort it took to
and 2-5pm on Sundays; and make it.
Further funding allowed was always in demand.
specialised training to
be developed for all new 174 2 2 2 10 4 
volunteers and for external
organisations. Liaison with Calls for Calls for Silent
like-minded, victim-focused support information calls
organisations established
a network of knowledge- 500 total calls Annual Report 1989-1990
sharing that would continue
for years to come. WRCCS
began delivering outreach

7

1990 - 1995

Onwards and Upwards

As the WRCCS a safe and confidential demands. The volunteer
entered the new environment for survivors. workforce was increased
decade, it was clear This location, furnished by from 10 to 28, with a list of 47
that service demand charitable donations, remains interested women for the new
was beginning to far home to the phone line, intake. Training involved basic
outweigh resources. group work and counselling knowledge of sexual violence
services to this day. issues as well as how best to
This, to an extent lead to support survivors.
closure of the helpline for Demand did not
2 months in 1991 to give slow down with At the end of May 1993,
volunteers a breather as these developments appointments averaged
well as to dedicate time but surge; with between 30 and 40 each
to refocus and re-evaluate counselling sessions month. In 1994, this was only
service provisions. The spiking from 5, to intensified by the closure of
service relaunched. 534 new 28-41 per month. the Liverpool and St Helens
callers contacted the service Rape Crisis centres; leaving
by the end of the financial the WRCCS as the only source
year and the waiting list for of support for survivors
face-to-face sessions was up in Merseyside.
to 3 weeks. The WRCCS was
already outgrowing its means.

Charitable funding in the years In April 1993, further
1992-93 meant that not only secured funding for the
could the organisation employ counsellor/trainer allowed
their very first counsellor/ the advertisement of 20-
trainer, but also move into its hour basic training for new
very own premises; providing volunteers, to meet rising

8

Despite rapidly increasing up to 2 months, and the organisation had
service demand, raising received no statutory funding for the last
awareness remained a priority. 18. To reach survivors as fast as possible,
initial assessments/support appointments
The ‘It’s Your Body’ project in 1991 allowed were offered within a few days of contact;
members to reach out to youth clubs, schools giving women an opportunity to talk, as
and young women’s groups and explore the well as to identify if the WRCCS was the
myths and facts of sexual violence; laying best organisation to suit their needs. This
the foundations for future youth outreach immediate response is still implemented
projects. Training endeavours evolved steadily, to date.
extending to Ashworth High-Security Hospital,
Wirral Social Services and Liverpool University; The centre was living hand to mouth,
each receiving overwhelmingly positive with funding coming exclusively from
feedback. With more recognition, approach donations. Training for both new volunteers
came from students and organisations alike outside organisations continued; however,
for placements and projects. campaign work had to take a backseat. At
a push, participation in the Zero Tolerance
The WRCCS was consistently Campaign against violence towards women
met with frustration due to lack of as well as International Women’s Day
celebrations continued.
secure and permanent funding
With funding for the key role of counsellor/
However, besides dribs and drabs of trainer due to end in 1995 and nothing
income, the WRCCS was consistently met secured to fill the gap, closing the WRCCS
with frustration due to lack of secure and doors seemed imminent. In March 1995,
permanent funding to ensure continuation however, negotiations with Wirral Health
of services year to year. and Social Services provided vital funding for
services to survive until April 1996. Without the
1991-1993 saw the first of many appeals dedication of the volunteers and campaigners,
for emergency funding as well as outreach as well as the generosity of organisational
to local journalists and radio stations; with funders, the story of RASA would have ended
members interviewing for local radio during at 9 years; and with
the week of International Women’s Day and
newspaper articles being published in demand having
support of the service. doubled since
year 1, this
was a lifeline.

Another successful ‘Reclaim the Night’ march 483
in 1994 marked a consolidating era for the
WRCCS and its place as a powerful feminist Counselling
presence in Merseyside. appointments

As the middle of the decade approached, Annual Report
financial troubles at the WRCCS came to a 1995-1996
head. The waiting list for counselling was

9

1996 - 2000

The Birth of RASA Merseyside

The survival of the WRCCS and an ease of burden on volunteers in
to its 10th year was not only a fundraising and administration. A newly
testament to the dedication and appointed young women and girl’s project
commitment of its founders, worker opened avenues for networking
volunteers and supporters, across vulnerable generations. This took
but also evidenced the ever- shape in a ‘Speak Easy’ Project, providing
increasing need of women specialised practical and emotional support
suffering the effects of sexual both face to face and over the phone as well
violence across Merseyside. as training and education in local schools
and youth groups.
Funding from the National Lottery and
Children in Need brought the organisation With more secure funding, the WRCCS
5 paid workers; ensuring that each section could consolidate many operational
of the service was catered to appropriately aspects of service; including a refinement
of volunteer recruitment packages to meet
new Rape Crisis Federation criteria.

10

From Wirral Rape Crisis Counselling Service
to Rape And Sexual Abuse Centre

The biggest change and staff set about creating in discussion forums.
happened in 1999 publicity material which could Comprehensive training
when the organisation be delivered to the most programmes had reached
officially became the appropriate agencies to reach as far as Skelmersdale, and
Rape and Sexual as many survivors as possible. survivor groups were meeting
Abuse Centre (RASA) regularly both in Birkenhead
By 2000 the extended and Liverpool.
under the charity number hours phone line had been
1078638; in the hopes that successfully running for RASA took part in a Home
this could better reflect 18 months. Office Sex Offences Review
the geographical remit of
clients whom often came As the millennium approached, RASA
from outside Wirral. It was had firmly established itself as a rape
also planned that this name crisis powerhouse in Merseyside.
change could line up with
a new publicity campaign, As the millennium to make more coherent
promoting a more inclusive approached, RASA had legislation for survivors of
and professional service firmly established itself as rape, as well as playing host
than ever before. a rape crisis powerhouse in to counselling placement
Merseyside. Referrals from students from various
More resource was put statutory organisations were education settings.
into outreach; expanding to steadily rising; outreach
carers/relatives of survivors as had expanded across the In 2002 the Charity became
well as those with hearing and water in the city centre a Company Limited by
speech difficulties. Research once a week as well as to Guarantee and re-registered
was also conducted into the the Wirral Women’s Drug as the Rape and Sexual Abuse
initiation of a specialised Service, and initiatives against (RASA) Centre Limited under
multicultural phone line domestic violence continued Charity Number 1094462.
service. Publicity of the new
RASA image was made
serious business. Volunteers

11

2000 - 2007

21st Century RASA

A new decade brought many larger volunteer intake aided this, it was not
challenges and changes for the seamless. National Lottery funding was running
newly formed Rape and Sexual out, and the centre was barely surviving on
Abuse centre. Focus on meeting the small unstable bids. With the closure of the
much-celebrated multicultural helpline in 2001,
continually increasing demand remained for a while it looked as though the doors may
a priority, as well as expanding its sphere have to close altogether.
of influence across Merseyside communities
and professionals.

In 2001, the Freedom Programme The future looked somewhat
allowed more outreach work for survivors brighter as 2004 came to an end.
of domestic violence, with weekly
sessions taking place in Merseyside.

The year also saw RASA moving towards The future looked somewhat brighter as
more national initiatives, using its own 2004 came to an end; with RASA achieving
understanding and experience of the myths funding from the Active Communities Unit
surrounding rape to join forces with the ‘Truth of the Home Office for a full time Service
about Rape Campaign’ to challenging these Co-ordinator role, alongside a Victims
misconceptions on a larger scale. Fund grant for a 12-month programme of
development of services across Merseyside.
Call rates increased by 75% between the A Service Coordinator was appointed, and
years 2000 and 2002; with demand for face a period of growth ensued.
to face sessions similarly on the rise. By the
end of 2003 there were 2504 documented 75% 300%
face to face contacts and 3164 calls; new
callers had increased by 300% and outreach Increase Increase in
had increased over 200%. Although a in calls new callers

between by the end
2000 & 2002 of 2003

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Volunteers

A key part of the grant funding
received in 2004 was to radically
change the volunteer recruitment and
training programme while also designing
projects and initiatives that would retain
volunteers in placement. As part of this work,
RASA designed, wrote and presented a
mini-guide to managing volunteers. It was
well received by the Home Office funders
and was widely distributed. Its contents and
methods are still used today in the RASA
recruitment and retention of volunteers.

Media Contacts

In 2006, RASA made A grant was awarded by to say about the TV Drama
its first venture into TV. The Rathbone Foundation "The Verdict."
to produce a radio
The organisation played a role advertisement and air it on
in educating and preparing Buzz Radio for the whole of
Hollyoaks actress Christina 2006 and 2007. This gained
Bailey for a drug rape national recognition when
storyline, as well as providing the ad’s designer received a
counsellor and survivor media award for excellence
interviews for a Channel 4 and provided crucial publicity
documentary exposing the to enable more women to
truth about rape. As a thank reach the service.
you, Christina ran the Great
North Run, donating her The strong and powerful
sponsorship funds to RASA. advert started with five
seconds of dead air followed
In 2007, Hollyoaks twins "Mel by a female voice stating,
and Sophie" also visited the "I got raped." It certainly
RASA Centre to learn about caught people’s attention.
the impacts and effects of so
called "date rape" drugs – for Media engagement remained
their upcoming storylines. strong – and RASA had plenty

13

2000 - 2007: 21st Century RASA

RASA at 21

Throughout 2004-
2006, Allen Lane
Foundation continued
to support the work
of the Counselling
Coordinator and John
Moores Foundation
supported the training
and management of
the RASA volunteers.

Despite everyone’s best This was a far cry from a But while RASA dreamed
efforts the income for year small group of determined of becoming a hugely
to 31-03-2006 remained and passionate women professional specialist
low at just £81,000. Despite working out of a kitchen to service providing high quality
rising client numbers and improve women’s rights in independent services for
corresponding increases in 1980’s Merseyside, but the everyone who needed them -
outgoings for premises and value of the work carried we simply couldn’t afford it.
staffing, 2007 saw a drop in out by volunteers continued
income. It was tough. to exceed the amount of Something had
funding coming into the to change.
By its 21st Year of service, organisation.
RASA had exceeded every RASA celebrated 21 years
expectation; coming a of service with a rather
long way from its humble grand party at The Lauries
beginnings. The refurbishment Centre in Birkenhead and
of the original Birkenhead the publication of the 21
safe house marked this years of RASA Story collated,
occasion, as did the rise in written and edited by Dr
volunteer numbers up to Helen Jones and Dr Eileen
50 in 2007. Berrington of Manchester
Metropolitan University.

14

The Change – The Move Into Professionally
Recognised Service Delivery

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA’s)

One of the biggest achievements ISVA’s provide flexible and practical
of the 21st year of service was support in the immediate aftermath of sexual
the establishment of RASA’s violence; taking the form of advice, advocacy,
own ISVA service, which remains accompaniment to doctor, police or court
a fundamental part of the appointments or liaise on behalf of the
organisation to date. client. Advice and assistance is tailored to
the individual and their needs; ensuring the
Funded in part by the Home Office from survivor is both supported and prepared for
2007, the title solidifies and professionalises every aspect of the criminal justice system
the practical legal advocacy provided by and their investigations.
the organisation since its very beginning.
Advice and assistance is tailored
With statistics showing bleak conviction and to the individual and their needs.
reporting rates, as well as a clear absence of
women featuring in the criminal justice system, With this new service and plans for a Sexual
sexual violence was becoming high on political Assault and Referral Centre for Merseyside
agendas. Initially ISVAs were trained through in 2008, a campaign was underway to raise
the CAADA Training Courses and RASA awareness for sexual violence in the legal
was pleased to contribute knowledge and system as well as look to secure funding for
experience to the development of this work. future maintenance.

Sexual violence was The search for suitable premises for the
becoming high on new SARC was a challenge RASA enjoyed.
political agendas It seemed to be an endless round of meetings,
site visits, drawings and plans and it was
Funding in this year allowed 2 trained with huge relief that the site in Dale Street
ISVA’s to begin to tackle crisis calls from was finally agreed upon and work began to
women across the region. develop the space into a bespoke sexual
assault referral centre for Merseyside.

15

2008 - 2011

Expansions and Expenses

The Merseyside SARC

As promised, 2008 established partnerships agreement being reached
marked the opening with the Multi Agency Risk pan-Merseyside, the funding
of a Sexual Assault Assessment Committee became localised by borough
Referral Centre (SARC) (MARAC) in providing more and somewhere in the
in Merseyside, creating thorough and holistic services struggle to understand how
opportunities for for survivors. it all worked, RASA started
RASA to expand its to struggle for survival.
service even further Importantly, the SARC
partnership and the The SARC
and ensure that victims and development of the ISVA partnership and the
survivors of sexual violence programme encouraged development of the
not only received immediate RASA to make the bold ISVA programme
aftercare, but that they decision to begin supporting encouraged
received full support through male survivors. It was a RASA to make the
the criminal justice process huge step forward from bold decision to
and beyond. the intrinsically feminist begin supporting
foundations of the WRCCS male survivors.
RASA engaged fully in and not one taken lightly.
this new development and Small grants from a variety
spent considerable time Requests for support from of generous grant funders
interviewing and training men across Merseyside had carried us through the year
the first cohort of SARC been such that it could no and we will always be grateful
Support Workers. longer be ignored. After much to John Moores Foundation,
New referral links with the consultation and passionate The Rathbone Foundation,
SARC complemented already debate, the RASA membership Liverpool CVS and The
narrowly voted in favour of Nationwide Foundation for
the action on condition that that support in a difficult year.
male clients would be seen by
specific counsellors only, who The services survived from
confirmed their willingness to 2008-2009 thanks to the
work with men and that males government listening to pleas
would be excluded from the for help and ringfencing an
safe house leaving it a female “Emergency Fund” from which
only space. RASA achieved £23,000 -
a lifeline at the time.
Commissioning was confused.
Contracting was fractured
and within six months
of a seemingly concrete

16

RASA in Liverpool

In 2009, RASA Liverpool went live thanks
to Tudor Trust funding. This was a brilliant
recognition of the quality of the work RASA
was delivering as the Tudor Trust carry out
considerable vetting and authentication
procedures before agreeing to grant fund.
We were especially delighted to welcome
them to our centre in Birkenhead and
demonstrate for them some of the great
work we were carrying out.

This was a brilliant
recognition of the
quality of the work
RASA was delivering

The expansion was long overdue, as
outreach to the city centre had been
inundated for years. By 2010, the small
centre was supporting 155 individuals
with referrals flooding in from Police,
the SARC, MARAC and the phone line.

17

2008 - 2011: Expansions and Expenses

As the end of the decade to expand within its Duke Street premises
approached, the theme of to match rising waiting lists. The closing
growth and change continued. of a local Barnardo’s group meant RASA
needed to adopt the male survivors group to
Dedicated workers were carrying out continue their recovery. With the service under
services with places like the Merseyside pressure, advertisements and promotion of the
Refugee and Asylum Seekers and Post service had to be kept to a minimum to ensure
Natal Support Group and Wirral Drug/ a wait of no longer than 1 week for an initial
Alcohol services to add to RASA’s support appointment, as per the organisations
selection of outreach specialisms. founding principles.

With expansion, however, came more pressure.

Ellesmere Port and Southport had both Working closely with the SARC meant RASA
established RASA outreach services, and a supplying more ISVA services. Within weeks,
generous donation and one-off government the service had taken on 163 new cases; many
grant in 2008 had allowed the set-up of a sadly dropped through lack of evidence, and
Sefton outreach service based within a local one of which seeing the perpetrator go on to
domestic violence agency. commit a similar assault. Conviction rates were
on the rise nationally, and with such pitfalls in
With expansion, however, came more the legal system more pressure fell on rape
pressure. In 2010 RASA Liverpool was forced services to support survivors.

Over in Sefton, years’ worth of funding was secured through
achieving funding from a Ministry of Justice award, by which time
local statutory services the service was well known for working with
was proving difficult. younger clients and had established strong
links with local child services. RASA in Sefton
Between 2009 and 2010, the service carried settled into rented space within the Sefton
out £138,000 worth of support on a budget of Women and Children’s Centre. This made for
£22,000 received. It wasn’t until 2011 that 3 a great and supportive partnership that greatly
benefited the clients of both services.

18

Visitors and Awards

2008-09 saw a by survivors of sexual when we were struggling
surge of interest violence and rape. Sadly to survive.
in RASA as sexual he moved into another area RASA Staff were intrigued to
violence once again of work shortly afterwards. be invited to the Merseyside
hit the headlines. Woman of the Year Awards
RASA was also visited by in 2008. Knowing little about
Over the course of six a then little-known MP the awards and understanding
months RASA received visits Theresa May – at the time less about the expected dress
from several serving MPs she was the Shadow Minister code, two staff turned up for a
including Stephen Hesford for the Family. Mrs May bit of lunch and a chat. It was
MP who was serving at the spent a full afternoon at the to be a lunch to remember
time as PPS for Vera Baird and Birkenhead Centre talking as RASA was awarded
who, as a barrister had a keen about the issues facing Women’s Group of The Year
interest in the work that RASA survivors of sexual violence.
did and the challenges clients Liz McClarnon was also a at the lavish ceremony and
faced in achieving justice. frequent visitor to the centre an impromptu speech was
during a period of twelve required – thank goodness
RASA was also months or more and was most we had only recently
visited by a then supportive of the organisation, completed the annual report
little-known MP raising small but significant and had all our stats to hand.
Theresa May. funds for the service at a time

Another visitor to the centre
was Chris Grayling in his
capacity as Shadow Home
secretary. It was an excellent
opportunity to explain to him
some of the challenges faced

By 2011 referrals were being received It was clear that the nature of the funding
from the NHS, and work with both men and beast had changed considerably. Services
children was steadily on the rise. Although were more strained than ever, however there
the centre was not specialised in these areas was an emerging need to prove service utility
specifically, the closure of other organisations through monitoring, evaluating and evidences
as well as RASA's long-standing experience all service outcomes. One thing was certain;
with survivors meant this was the last hope the next few years could make or break
for many. RASA Merseyside.

19

2011 - 2014

Demand vs Deposits

At its 25th birthday in Between the years 2010 previously been recognised
2011, the RASA known and 2011 another RASA Staff by this same foundation
to Merseyside was Member was hugely honoured for runner up in the Best
miles away from its to accept a flurry of awards Entrepreneurial Social
humble Birkenhead for work carried out both Enterprise or Charity.
beginnings. Two within RASA and for the
things, however, periods before she joined It seemed that,
remained the same; the service. Perhaps the most finally, the
that the needs of special was the award of an organisation was
survivors continued MBE in the Queen’s Birthday being recognised
to far outweigh funds amongst wider
supplied, and that the communities for
faith and dedication of its professionalism
WRCCS/RASA workers and dedication.
and volunteers was
both invaluable and This, however, was to be
unshakable. put to the ultimate test
throughout the year.

On a rare sunny Honours list, but local
day, RASA women awards received, including
celebrated with the Wirral Civic Award,
a barbecue NSPCC Cheshire Woman
and buffet at of The Year Award and
the home of Merseyside Woman of The
one of the key Year Award in the category
change makers. "Making A Difference"
As Chair of the ensured the cause of sexual
Board of Trustees violence made headlines and
for several years news across Merseyside.

she had brought RASA as an organisation
in many positive advances achieved runner up in The
in clinical excellence, Morgan Foundation’s “Against
management standards and All Odds” award. RASA had
in developing outcomes tools
still largely used today.

20

Trials and Tribulations

When a series of 3rd sector services and non SARC Meanwhile, demand
funding cuts hit local media in ISVA services in Liverpool, continued to grow.
2011, the future of ISVA and allowing continuation of
RASA services was threatened. a proven vital service. A relationship forged with
In response, volunteers and The Brook Trust secured five
clients took to the streets, In the meantime, it looked as years of invaluable funding
collecting hundreds of though 596 Sefton outreach towards the core costs of
signatures for presenting to clients would be carried funding the finance and
the City Council. RASA was forward with uncertainty development position. The
Brook Trust trustees are aware
On a cold wet windy day, Jill and RASA staff of the difficulty in achieving
and volunteers hovered on corners in strategic such core costs and were
extremely generous in their
locations, collecting signatures and support. support in this period.

joined on this campaign into the new year with no 596
by the amazing campaigner contracts in place. The
Jill Saward. Jill was born in Liverpool outreach service had clients carried from 2010.
Merseyside and had dedicated funds to pay a worker, but not
her life to fighting for victims rent or rooms to support their 553
and survivors of sexual 209 clients efficiently. Short
violence and rape. On a cold extensions were granted for clients carried into 2012.
wet windy day, Jill and RASA the ISVA services, but beyond
staff and volunteers hovered this the outlook was bleak. 693
on corners in strategic
locations, collecting signatures By the end of 2011, RASA had new referrals received.
and support. spent most of its 25th year
keeping staff employed, clients Counselling appointments
Eventually, 2 commissions attended, and new outreach doubled from 3180 in 2010
were won for SARC ISVA centres consolidated. to 6360.

ISVA appointments also
doubled from 538 in 2010
to 1076.

21

2011 - 2014: Demand vs Deposits

Developments Things began to look up in 2012. New
forms of measuring support outcomes
Over the years 2011-2013, were introduced to bring the service in line
the central government funds with NHS expectations of outcomes. For this
known as emergency funding, development we can thank the mentoring
special funding and finally and assistance of the former Wirral PCT that
transformation funding needed helped us understand the language and
to be applied for on an annual workings of the NHS and then develop an
basis. RASA was successful outcome measuring system that would be
in all these applications and acceptable evidence for our funders.
managed to survive, but not
grow in this period. After

In 2012 the Ministry of Justice released
funding to be competed for by all sexual
violence services. RASA applied for funding
to support Sefton and Liverpool and was
successful in those applications. Although
small awards, they would be sufficient to
keep both centres open.

Before RASA in West Wirral
After
In 2011, RASA was delighted to
achieve a five-year funding stream
for a new West Wirral centre.

This would be a RASA run Holistic Therapy
shop complete with therapy rooms; providing
a potentially self-sustaining centre. As per
requests from clients, the shop placement
at the front of the building also provided
discrete access from those who needed it.
Within weeks of opening it was clear we
were reaching a previously neglected group
of people and providing a much-needed
service in the heart of the coastal town.

22

Campaigning for Change - Justice For Jane

2012 also saw RASA join the
'Justice for Jane' campaign. After
the tragic death of Jane Clough
at the hands of the ex-partner
inexcusably out on bail for her rape
and abuse, RASA became fiercely
involved in the campaign to change
the law to ensure it could not
happen again.

The campaign eventually saw laws change
on bail decisions, whereby police, prosecutors
and child protective services could challenge
choices made by the crown court if these are
ill-advised or dangerous.

RASA worked closely with the parents of in this task by the now Sir Keir Starmer who
Jane - both John and Penny Clough fought will always be held in high regard for his
tirelessly to achieve some level of justice for powerful representation in these matters
the dreadful events that lead to her death and and in his determination to make things
the decision not to prosecute her murderer for better for survivors and victims of serious
rape. Justice for Jane was hugely supported and violent crime.

23

2011 - 2014: Demand vs Deposits

Meeting the Challenge

Meanwhile, despite burgeoning reputation as the
lack of funding the specialist sexual violence
Liverpool Centre was service in Merseyside;
becoming the most solidified by becoming
accessed service full members of Rape
with the largest client Crisis England and Wales
database; a total of by September.
1274 survivors in 2012.
Having achieved full For years RASA had recorded
This meant splitting the client qualification under the Rape all client activities on paper,
list by borough of residence, Crisis National Service in huge files. This created
and using the funding from Standards for Sexual Violence storage problems and had
the Ministry of Justice, Services – which involved margins for error that could
moved the Sefton Service writing, implementing and
to designated space in Bootle
as part of Sefton Women and This would, in that year, prove our greatest
Children’s Aid. With more asset and our greatest challenge.
space the waiting list was
immediately reduced by proving a whole new set of no longer be accepted. It
two months. policies and procedures, also meant for a huge task
RASA was ready to face the at monitoring and evaluation
Service refinement and challenges ahead. time and involved weeks of
restructure continued in work counting appointments,
2013, with the formation of Conquering our initial calls and activities to produce
the post of Clinical Lead to reluctances, RASA adopted full and accurate reports.
oversee all clinical aspects and instigated the web based
of service and maintain high client database known as From the beginning of year
standards. Uniform systems DPMS in 2013. to 31-03-2014 RASA logged all
and procedures were applied client details and activities on
across centres to support This would, in that year, prove a tightly controlled and highly
clients and volunteers alike. our greatest asset and our secure web based
This was suited to RASA’s greatest challenge.

24

database that allows for instant snapshots
of the organisation as well as providing clear
and consistent reports on all aspects of our
work for funders and commissioners.

Tears were shed in 2013 as staff
and volunteers battled to come
to terms with this huge change
in recording and processing data.
It was to be worth the battle.

As Sefton Centre became part of the Local The Hoylake Holistic Centre promoted its
Children’s Safe Guarding Board and Child expertise and offerings at local Mind, Body
Sexual Exploitation Sub-Group, it became and Spirit Fairs as well as School and Hospice
apparent that many local service providers had Charity events. The centre was going from
little or no training in these issues and RASA strength to strength, having raised £19,243
became integral in developing new training and supported 256 clients after its first year.
plans for statutory and voluntary agencies.
This was a triumph for RASA, as opening
A guide for families to identify signs and clues a centre in Hoylake was hotly contested
to child sexual exploitation was also developed amongst many locals who didn’t believe such
and received well across Merseyside as part a service was needed in such an affluent
of a ‘Keeping Kids Safe’ programme. area. The centre’s success proved that sexual
violence is no respecter of socioeconomic
Outreach and awareness work once again status or location.
targeted students to promote healthy
relationships and challenge sexual violence
myths; as well as expanded to collaborations
with CAMHS and the Merseyside Forced
Marriage and Honour Based Violence Group.
This would extend further into areas like
trafficking and slavery by 2014.

25

2011 - 2014: Demand vs Deposits

Social Media and Success

As RASA continued work with Merseyside By the end of 2014, the situation across
Police to ease the reporting processes for the board seemed more stable and diverse
survivors, ISVA services continued to be than ever. Birkenhead and Hoylake had
in high demand with a total of 820 cases both secured more statutory links to be a
dealt with in 2014. part of every inch of a survivor’s journey,
whether it was medical or mental. Further
This year also saw RASA moving increases continued in child referrals as
into the world of social media, well as the support of male clients with new
with pages on Twitter and outreach in Wirral and Hoylake.
Facebook to help respond to
survivors and raise awareness Collaboration between RASA and other
across even wider audiences. agencies also saw the rehoming and support
of a transsexual survivor of abuse.

Success was beginning to be reflected more
statistically, with GAD and PHQ-9 scores
showing significant improvements of service
users with depression and anxiety. Even the
ISVA service began to see more engagement
between clients and the legal system, as well
as a proportionate increase in convictions.

After a rollercoaster few years,
the future for both RASA and
the survivors of Merseyside
began to seem a lot brighter.

26

2015

Great Expectations

As the end of the financial reflecting growth across all was funded by BBC Children
year in 2015 approached, centres particularly in reports in Need in a three-year grant
RASA had extended its of non-recent abuse and to provide specialist therapy
sphere of support across referrals from children and and ISVA services as well as
almost every age and young people. staff training.
demographic. The helpline
had been relaunched to Sunflowers The service almost
cover four days a week, email immediately became
services were utilised on a Further influx in oversubscribed.
large scale, training was of the young clients
highest standard for both the corresponded with Treatments are holistic,
survivors and the public and, a newly established, integrative and child-centred
of course, the ever-important and long overdue, alongside psychoeducational
face-to- face support and specialist children’s in exploring emotion
advocacy was going from service at RASA. and resilience in young
strength to strength. The year survivors. The service
brought in 1310 new clients The aptly named Sunflowers almost immediately became
alongside 538 carried over Project, relating to the oversubscribed taking on
from 2014, with 1155 clients astounding ability of children 237 children in its first year,
having completed therapy; to grow in harsh conditions, the youngest of which being
just 3 years old.

27

2015: Great Expectations

Moving to Bootle –
Consolidating Our Support Services

After specialised By 2015 men to forge close relationships
funding received in made up 10% with local groups to ensure
2014 had allowed of the service. continued outreach to specific
continued work with populations with specific
male survivors that External professionals needs; including refugees,
dated back to 2008, continued to take notice of asylum seekers and the LGBT
RASA could officially RASA’s expertise in 2015, as community. This included the
accommodate male training reached over 10000 organization’s very first visit
clients whilst retaining school children and teachers to Merseyside Pride!
woman only spaces.
As a team, RASA was functioning like a
By 2015 men made up 10% of well-oiled machine. The structure was working.
the service. To accommodate
these changes as well as as well as trainee GP’s and As a team, RASA was
rapid client increases, a agencies like Addaction and functioning like a well-oiled
merger between Liverpool YMCA. As ever, relationships machine. The structure
and Sefton Centres with statutory and non- was working, with an
commenced alongside statutory agencies across operational management
searches for a larger building Merseyside was key, with team specialising in
to house not only both each centre manager working clinical governance,
services but provide training ISVA management and
and activity space. development, safeguarding,
finance and monitoring,
HR and staff management
overseeing the centre
managers and leads of each
of the projects the service
was delivering.

Standards had never been
higher, and reporting was
becoming slick, accurate
and dependable – leaving
more time free to focus on
the core service delivery
at the heart of all we do.

28

Monitoring and evaluation in clinical provision,
targets were consistently and for all intents and
followed in accordance with purposes the organisation
other Rape Crisis Centres and was at its best with the
professional standards of data ever- increasing diversity
management were maintained and demand of survivors
by the team at every step. at its heart.

Standards had
never been higher.

The counselling supervision
team was now well
established for excellence

Fundraising Facebook accounts which, alongside the
even newer YouTube Channel, had done
- The Hard Way wonders in promoting the new helpline;
bringing total calling hours up to 111.55
In a burst of enthusiasm matching RASA’s in the year 2015! Staff and volunteer
organisational progress, volunteers decided attendance at anti-rape and pro-diversity
to embark on a fundraising extravaganza events (like Reclaim the Night and Pride) as
in October 2015. From cake sales to street well as various colleges and universities in
collections to band nights and bag sales, Merseyside were also proudly displayed to
RASA warriors came out in droves in efforts the 333 Facebook and 713 Twitter patrons.
to raise £100,000 in 100 days to drastically
improve financial stability. Weeks of creativity
and commitment brought funds up to
£78,000; just shy of the target but a clear
testament to the dedication and passion of
RASA’s heart and soul: its volunteers.

Fundraising endeavours were well
documented on RASA’s new Twitter and

29

2015: Great Expectations

In March, RASA further embraced Fortunately, this demand was met with
diversity of service by using its determination; helped along by various
influence to help organise the fundraising efforts by Asda Supermarket
International Women’s Day Event and the National Citizen Service totalling
at the Devonshire House Hotel, £481 towards vital service needs.
attended by people from many
Merseyside communities. The Hoylake Holistics Centre
continued to defy naysayers.
Here there were talks on issues like
female genital mutation, gender inequality This success seemed to be across the board
and women’s empowerment alongside in over the water services, as the Hoylake
servings of different national cuisines and Holistics Centre continued to defy naysayers
opportunities for women of every community with social networking and local promotions
to talk to staff members. The drive also generating good solid stock sales at open
established links between RASA and City days. This was complimented by RASA
Heart for trafficking victims and opened a presence at local School Wellbeing Days
new contract with Learning Line to attend and attendance at the unbeatable and hugely
to non-English survivors. successful Tomorrow’s Women Wirral Project
and of course the Christmas Santa Dash. For
Over in Wirral, things were a centre that was "unwanted and unnecessary"
just as fast-paced. in such an affluent area, the RASA logo was
making itself a comfortable home in Hoylake!
Over in Wirral, things were just as fast-paced.
The closure of the local Zero Centre meant
the uptake of domestic violence survivors
into service, although this was only partially
responsible for the monumental 60% increase
in Wirral referrals in 2015.

30

Lime Culture and the Truth Project

Early in 2015, the issue "I would like to thank the shine a light on the failings
of sexual violence took Merseyside Rape and Sexual of organisations and
an encouraging step into Abuse Centre and Stepping institutions across the
the national spotlight Stones North Wales for breadth of England and
with the launch of the meeting with me today. Wales - and not simply within
Independent Inquiry into The work of organisations the Westminster context."
Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA); such as these is incredibly
an initiative towards important in helping support In partnership with Lime
"investigating the extent victims and survivors of child Culture, the leading sexual
to which institutions have sexual abuse. I am grateful violence training and
failed to protect children for the time they have taken development organisation,
from sexual abuse." today to talk to me about RASA staffed the North West
their work and about some Regional office, delivering
As more than half of RASA’s of the challenges faced by the vital support services
referrals are adult survivors those whom they support. and counsellors to those
of non-recent child sexual survivors wishing to make
abuse, RASA was pleased It brings home to me the representation in person.
to see this development. importance of the work of
the Inquiry in identifying
In November 2015, the IICSA organisations and institutions
Chair launched the "Truth which have failed in their
Project" at RASA. duty to protect children
from sexual abuse. And it
Inquiry chair Hon. Lowell highlights that this Inquiry
Goddard DNZM said: must, as I have said before,

RASA Education These courses from Level 2-5 (Level 6 under
development) are available for staff, volunteers
After several years of writing and external agencies and individuals who
courses, training staff and trainers want to study to become counsellors of
and generally learning... the RASA the future. This took a lot of time, effort,
Education Centre was born in 2016. blood, sweat and tears but it is an amazing
achievement and in its first year of operation,
Frustrated at the lack of effective trauma all courses on offer have been fully subscribed.
training, RASA developed accredited training The future is looking good.
courses in all aspects of counselling.

31

2016

RASA Merseyside at 30!

In We are commissioned RASA had moved from
2016, by the Merseyside supporting only women
RASA Merseyside Police and Crime over the age of 13 to both
entered its 30th year Commissioner to deliver men and women of all ages
of service against ageless, genderless by 2010. One humble centre
all odds; having moved services across our in Birkenhead had spread
patch. We are funded to across three boroughs after
leaps and bounds beyond deliver full ISVA service to continually outgrowing the
a humble but passionate all Liverpool residents. We outreach centres in Liverpool,
women’s support group in are funded through the Home Southport and Sefton.
Birkenhead into a beacon Office to deliver ISVA Services
of hope across Merseyside to Wirral residents – although Legal support had
for all genders, age groups, we are aware this ends in professionalised into a
sexual orientations, cultures March 2017. We are funded, fully-trained and specialised
and abilities. Offering legal, as we have been for many ISVA service for all survivors
medical, emotional and years through competitively and RASA had begun to try its
practical support for all achieved tenders, to provide hand at more holistic healing
survivors the RASA we know counselling and support to as well as established training
today still holds the same Wirral residents and we have in CBT and REWIND therapies
fundamental values as it grant funding to deliver varied to ensure that almost every
did in 1986. However, these essential work to minority individual could find the
values now reach survivors groups, vulnerable individuals right therapy for them.
in their 1000’s and are bound and to support our own
together by institutional and volunteer development.
clinical excellence on a scale
never imagined. Our Children’s ISVA
was awarded the first ever
Limelight Award for services
to children.

32

Alongside supporting This type of refinement allowed the service
individuals and groups who to always be up to date with the requirement
have experienced abuse of funders and ensure we remained strong
at any time in their lives, contenders for any bids. Despite these efforts,
RASA has also developed however, financial crises have been inevitable
its passion to educate the wider with service surviving from bid to bid.
population in awareness and technique. At 30
RASA has not only implemented but pioneered For 30 years these survivors
training for both statutory and non-statutory have remained the heart and
organisations, parents, teachers and public soul of RASA endeavours.
across Merseyside. Challenging sexual violence
across the North West on every institutional In its 30th year of service, RASA now supports
level remains an essential part of the RASA over 2000 survivors annually from Liverpool,
initiative; an initiative which has brought both Wirral and Sefton. For 30 years these survivors
better sexual violence reporting techniques have remained the heart and soul of RASA
in Merseyside Police and the establishment endeavours. However, as 2017 begins, the
of the first Liverpool SARC centre in 2008. challenges to fund such a strong, professional
and much needed service are as great as ever
Constant reimagining and assessment of and it will take skilled negotiation, competitive
policies, procedures and measures to keep tendering and a large dose of luck to ensure
up with the times has established the most service delivery remains consistent and stable
professional service possible in line with in the years ahead.
Rape Crisis Standards.

Despite somewhat will face a monumental waiting offering professional training
secure funding for list or be turned away. programmes for professionals
specific aspects of the looking to expand their
service, huge chunks The core values of RASA expertise in sexual violence
remain unstable. remain the same as when it and therapeutic practice.
all began, with survivors at
Successful bids have its heart, one thing is certain: Each year, more and
allowed Liverpool and Sefton staff, volunteers and patrons more people from
to merge and make its home will continue to fight tooth and across Merseyside
in a spacious office in Bootle nail for the survival of a service are brave enough to
as well as a refurbishment which has changed the lives of come forward and ask
and expansion of the 1000s of survivors both directly for help.
Birkenhead base. and indirectly. New space in
Birkenhead, including rooms For 30 years, RASA has
However, without continuous for children’s therapy, holistic been here to listen without
and permanent funding these therapy, creative activity and judgement, believe without
safe havens for survivors drop-in service will forge question and support without
will become nothing more ahead; a new engagement discrimination.
than vacant properties. With project will aim to enhance
overwhelming referrals from flexibility of outreach services With demand for support
all sides and no guarantee and encourage more survivors showing no signs of
of the finance necessary to to come forward. slowing down, neither will
accommodate it, survivors the determination of this
Training is expanding in organisation to support them.
Bootle, with staff now

33

2016: RASA Merseyside at 30!

We must remember – sexual know the signs of abuse, to recognise
violence is not going to go away. abusers, to know what to do if they are hurt –
The cost of unaddressed sexual to speak out and get the support they need.
violence is huge – not only in terms
of emotional distress, but in the We should not be asking – can we afford
cost to society of women unable to support survivors of sexual violence. We
to fulfil their dreams, unable to should be asking – can we afford not to?
carry on with their work, unable
to manage their families, and We should not be asking –
ultimately their lives. can we afford to support
survivors of sexual violence.
Victims are not weak. Victims are damaged We should be asking –
by the violence they have experienced. At
RASA we help those victims become survivors can we afford not to?
and then we help those survivors to throve.
We help them achieve all they dreamed they With grateful thanks to Dr Helen Jones for
would achieve despite was has happened having provided so much of the contained
to them. Too often we receive referrals from information in the publication "21 years of
drug and alcohol agencies, from police and RASA" and to Alex Cavanagh for all her hard
probation, from social services – and these are work and research on this publication.
generally non-recent cases of sexual violence.
Thanks to – to Big Lottery Awards For
Sexual violence that has gone unheeded for All – Celebrate – for funding not only this
years – even decades – and sexual violence publication but permanent wall boards for
that has lead women and men into adopting our centres – compilations of information,
negative strategies for surviving the abuse news reports and key events in the life of
they have endured. Today’s children are RASA – and for funding our celebration
tomorrows victims – help us help them to event on 29th November 2017.

34

They asked us to They asked us to find They sent us clients
develop the service comfortable client space who had experienced
– we sought funding – we invested in premises sexual violence within
and expanded a domestic setting
They asked us to take – we helped them
They asked us more and more complex stay engaged with
for references and vulnerable individuals other services
– we worked hard
and achieved them They asked us to And we adapted,
professionalise our service and we managed...
They asked us for – we invested in IT,
trained workers Security, Telecoms They asked us to help
– we invested in staff increase police reports
training and got They sent us asylum – we employed ISVAs
everyone qualified seekers and refugees
They asked us to
They asked us for policies. They sent us those with support clients through
We wrote them and serious mental health the criminal justice process
enforced them. issues because the – we employed more ISVAs
service they attended
They asked for had closed They asked us to
robust safeguarding reduce waiting lists
– we trained, skilled They sent us parents – we employed
and recruited and carers to teach sessional counsellors
about sexual abuse
They asked us to We Are
work with males They sent us children Ready
– we changed our whole as young as two, so we
outlook and welcomed developed non-clinical
males into the service ways of working with them

They asked us to They sent us non-English
work with children speaking clients and we
– we trained and recruited invested in Language Line
children’s workers

35

because she was a woman

 Celebrating

30 Years

of RASA