Our work on Sexual Violence

 Bristol Fawcett has worked with others for several years to improve local services for women affected by sexual violence. In 2006 Bristol Fawcett led a demonstration on College Green about the lack of a rape crisis centre in Bristol.  There has since been significant local improvement in attention given to sexual violence.  Bristol Fawcett inputs into the Safer Bristol Partnership’s Rape and Sexual Assault Strategic Group as well being involved with the launch of Bristol’s SARC (sexual assault referral centre: The Bridge) which opened in 2008.  We also campaigned for the development of a Rape Crisis Centre for Bristol.  We work with local agencies such as the Safer Bristol Partnership and Avon & Somerset Police who are committed to tackling sexual violence in the region.  

If you would like to receive information about our work or events connected with violence against women, please join our contacts database.  If you would like to get involved with Rape Crisis Bristol, please email sexualviolence@bristolfawcett.org.uk for more details. 

Fawcett’s current national campaign is calling for justice for rape victims – take action today. Click here to download a Bristol-specific letter to your MP calling for justice for rape victims.  The Parliamentary Early Day Motion 765 (Campaign for Justice for Victims of Rape) has so far been signed by one of Bristol's four MPs - Stephen Williams, for Bristol West.  Click here to read his response to our letter.  
 
Recent highlights

Bristol is one of only three authorities (all in the South West) who have included support for victims of serious sexual offences in their Local Area Agreement indicator targets, agreed in April 2008.  The Home Office has commended Bristol for this and will be giving support for the development of models for successful delivery.  Read Bristol Fawcett's response to the Home Office consultation on development of the indicator here.

To Mark International Women's Day, on 7th March 2008 Bristol Fawcett member Elaine was recognised with a "Women who Make a Difference" award for her campaigning for service provision.  The Bristol Evening Post reported the story (8/3/08):
Elaine has spent the past year campaigning for funding to set up a centre to support victims of rape in Bristol.  She said: "It is absolutely great to get this award, although I did not secure funding for this project on my own.  I feel it is very much a collective effort from many different women that I have had involvement with at various stages.  I have been in Bristol for two and a half years and I got involved in this because I had previous experience of setting up a Rape Crisis service in Newcastle in 1976 and it is still open today.  There is a lack of funding, provision and services for victims and survivors of rape in Bristol and now we have secured the funding we will be looking for women to be involved in the process of setting it up."  Elaine's nominator Nicola said: "Elaine has worked tirelessly during 2007 to secure investment from the city council in rape crisis services in Bristol.  This provision will make a massive impact on the lives of women who are victims of sexual violence."

On 12th March 2008 Elaine gave an interview on Richard Wyatt's Breakfast Programme (BBC Radio Bristol) about Rape Crisis provision in the city.

On 6th March 2008 Bristol Evening Post responded to our press release, with an article publicising the Million Women Rise March in London.  Several Bristol Fawcett members took part in the march.

In January 2008 the announcement was made that from 2008 onwards, Bristol City Council will be making a substantial investment in a Rape Crisis Service to complement the Sexual Assault Referral Centre that will be opening in 2008.  We have been fortunate in Bristol that senior Council officers, Council Members and Cabinet members are united in their appreciation of the importance of these services and have championed the cause.

On 4th December 2007 Elaine made a submission to full council concerning the need for sexual violence services.  Watch it here: go to 01:09:48.