History

Our roots are in the feminist rape crisis movement that emerged in 2008 in response to violence against women and girls.

A purple lotus flower with Bristol Rape Crisis written underneath

Our roots are as a feminist, women-led organisation that started in 2008 as Bristol Rape Crisis.

We started with 2 women, one phone, and a handful of amazing volunteers.  From there on we worked tirelessly to continue to grow and develop to support as many people affected by sexual violence as possible.

A pink lotus with the words Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support underneath it

We grew to cover the whole of Avon and Somerset

In 2013 we received funding to offer support to people across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, or South Gloucestershire. The staff team grew and we started providing much needed counselling services.

Going from strength to strength

We now have nearly 50 members of staff and 30 volunteers. We run new, innovative support services, and national projects, alongside our original helpline that has provided a lifeline for victim-survivors since 2008. We became proudly trans-inclusive and continue to work on our equality, diversity, and inclusion to ensure that no one is left behind.

The latest from our news and blogs

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Be the change: how to be an Active Bystander

We can all be bystanders. Every day events unfold around us. At some point, we will register someone in danger. When this happens, we can decide to do or say something (and become an active bystander), or to let it go (and remain a passive bystander).

Mid-blue Kinergy logo

Kinergy closure statement

We are deeply saddened by the closure of Kinergy, an organisation that has provided invaluable support to survivors of sexual violence for nearly 30 years.

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.