1. why women?

2. Women’s Resource Centre Capacity building, infrastructure body for women’s organisations Provide training, one-to-one support, policy consultations, act as advocate and voice for women’s organisations Primarily London based but move towards going national Over 300 members 40% BME organisations

3. Why women? 30,000 women’s organisations in the UK. They make up 7% of the voluntary sector but only receive 1.2% of central government funding. Changes in funding policy: move away from grants to commissioning and procuring services. Gender neutral policy. The Government needs to acknowledge that women are systematically discriminated against because of their gender, and recognise their expertise and essential service provision. The women’s sector is distinctive because it is often women-only, service-user led, uses a framework of empowerment.

4. The distinctiveness of the women’s sector High levels of peer-support ‘Pathways to employment’ Women centred Women-only space: safety, confidence, supportive, empowering, better outcomes Economic impact

5. Poll results of women-only research 97% said it was important to have access to a women- only support service after sexual assault A choice of a woman professional for: ► 78% - counselling ► 87% - sexual and reproductive health issues ► 90% - reporting a crime of harassment, domestic violence or sexual assault 56% would choose a women-only gym 1 in 3 want women-only career training and sports coaching

6. Support the campaign Sign up in support today or on our website: www.wrc.org.uk www.wrc.org.uk Hold a film screening Write to local MP or counsellors Write to local or national papers Use rape crisis briefing to lobby for sexual violence indicators in LAAs.

7. 30 Public Service Agreements (PSAs) The crisis in rape crisis 30 new Public Service Agreements (PSAs) 198 National Indicators Most important for sexual violence services is NI 26: “specialist support to victims of a serious sexual offence Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs can choose up to 35 Indicators to include in their Local Area Agreements (LAAs).