1. Eva Rape Crisis Service
22/02/2019
K Davies

2. Herstory
Eva Rape Crisis Service was formed in 2003 by Kay Davies and Helen Danks.
Eva Women’s Aid funded a 6 month trial period during which we planned to identify the need for the service, create policies and procedures, and identify funding sources.
22/02/2019
K Davies

3. Needs Analysis
Eva’s domestic violence workers had experienced disclosures of sexual violence from the residents of their refuge.
There wasn’t a rape crisis service in the area, Cleveland RCC closed in 2001, their statistics showed around 100 clients per year were from the Redcar area.
22/02/2019
K Davies

4. First Steps
We created publicity material and expected to see clients in our second month.
In reality we saw our first client during our second week of the pilot project.
We have supported over 350 women so far.
22/02/2019
K Davies

5. The Role of Eva Rape Crisis
To provide counselling and support to survivors of sexual violence
To provide support and information for families of survivors of sexual violence and professionals working with survivors
To provide a telephone help-line service for survivors and their families
22/02/2019
K Davies

6. The Role of Eva Rape Crisis
To provide independent sexual violence advocacy support for survivors of sexual violence.
To provide support groups, confidence building courses and accredited training courses for clients and volunteers.
To provide training for other organisations around the issue of sexual violence.
To campaign on issues around sexual violence.
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K Davies

7. National Focus on Sexual Violence
Sexual offences bill
Rape stock take
VVAPP victims of violence and abuse prevention programme
Public health white paper choosing health 2002
Cross government action plan on sexual violence
Sexual violence and abuse action plan
22/02/2019
K Davies

8. Making It Happen Eva rape crisis service has:
Provided consultation for the setting
the boundaries document.
Worked in partnership with the police
and PCT to create a SARC.
Consulted to create national service
guidelines.
Provided training for SOLO officers.
Developed the role of an ISVA within our service.
Joined the board of directors of the Rape Crisis Network.
All with only 2 ½ staff members.
22/02/2019
K Davies

9. Funding
We experience difficulty in securing funding to continue and develop the project every year.
We complete on average between 7-15 funding applications per year.
Each application takes between 3-5 days to complete depending on the information required.
In 2006 our staff worked to 3 month contracts as emergency funding was applied for.
22/02/2019
K Davies

10. Funding
In 2007 we were successful in securing funding and employed an additional counsellor on a one year contract. (Home Office Victim’s Fund)
We secured our manager’s post for 3 years. (The Northern Rock Foundation)
We secured a contribution towards our help-line from Redcar and Cleveland Council.
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K Davies

11. Funding
We have not however secured continuation funding for the ISVA post.
We are generating income from training and attempting to secure GP commissioning.
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K Davies

12. Same Issues Across the Globe
Research by Dr Kim McGregor
Most helpful interventions were:
The client felt believed
The professional was supportive, compassionate, empathetic and caring
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K Davies

13. Same Issues Across the Globe
The client did not feel blamed for the abuse
The professional was not shocked or disgusted at the disclosure
The client did not feel odd or alone
The professional helped stop the abuse
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K Davies

14. Unhelpful Interventions
Sexual exploitation by the professional
Professionals not believing the disclosure and telling the client she fantasised it
Ignoring or dismissing the abuse as not important as intercourse did not take place
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K Davies

15. Unhelpful Interventions
Over prescribing medicine
Telling the client she must have enjoyed the abuse as she stayed
Being shocked or disgusted by the disclosure
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K Davies

16. Eva’s Clients’ Experiences of Unhelpful Interventions
Sexual relationship with psychiatrist.
Told they must be fantasising or they would have gone to the police.
Told they were not 6 years old and should act accordingly.
Told it wasn’t that bad and they should be over it now.
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K Davies

17. Eva’s Clients’ Experiences of Unhelpful Interventions
Being diagnosed with mental health issues without being asked why they felt that way.
Told they must have enjoyed the abuse because it carried on into adulthood.
Not being believed when they disclosed issues of organised or satanist abuse.
22/02/2019
K Davies

18. What Makes Rape Crisis Special
Rape Crisis Centres have developed a woman centred, empowerment model of counselling which is used in every rape crisis centre.
Each generation of rape crisis workers shares their expertise with the next one.
Our understanding of feminist principles helps us to clarify the links between female oppression, pornography and sexual violence.
We offer clients a female only space in which to work through abuse issues.
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K Davies

19. What Makes Rape Crisis Special
Rape Crisis workers understand the devastating impact that sexual violence has on a woman’s life.
We are resilient enough to listen to stories of torture and abuse every day, without letting our own feelings get in the way of supporting the survivor.
We understand the ways in which society and rapists try to place the blame the survivor.
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K Davies

20. When a Survivor Comes to Rape Crisis
She will be believed.
She will receive counselling from a highly trained and experienced counsellor.
We will challenge the rape myths she has hooked into.
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K Davies

21. When a Survivor Comes to Rape Crisis
We will not collude with any moral judgments that may have been made about her.
We will accept her fully, no matter how she feels about herself.
We will never treat her as less than a remarkable human being who has survived a horrible crime.
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K Davies

22. In Her Own Words
“An excellent service; words are not adequate to describe the commitment, dedication and assistance offered by the support team. I was able to work through the feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, anger etc until I understood the effects the abuse had on me. I now have hope for the future, faith in myself and confidence that I can change my life.”
22/02/2019
K Davies