Changes

The number of centres and the names of centres have varied over the years with more recent name changes aimed at trying to ensure the name reflects the long-established fact that a high proportion of women and girls contacting us are looking for support about child sexual abuse and other forms of sexual assault. Therefore the centres in Dundee and Edinburgh changed their names from Rape Crisis to Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre. Other centres have not changed their name, but make it clear in publicity and in other ways that they welcome contact from any woman who has suffered any form of sexual violence at any time in her life. Callers may be looking for support about a recent rape, about ongoing ritual abuse, about a rape three years earlier or childhood abuse 10, 20, 50 years ago. Whatever women need to talk to us about, we are there to listen.

The most recent change in membership of the network (now Rape Crisis Scotland) was the departure of three centres in early 2003. They had decided to change their remit to include providing a support service for male survivors.

The SRCN (as it was then) was sorry that this meant they would no longer be part of our network, as our (recently reaffirmed) constitution states that our member groups will be run by and for women only.

We recognise the sexual violence suffered by men and boys and fully support the provision of support services for them. We work closely with a range of organisations offering support to male and female survivors and are happy to refer men and boys on. However, we believe there remains a strong need for women only services in Scotland and we shall continue to improve and develop those services, while working closely with other organisations in this field to ensure there are adequate support services for all survivors of sexual violence.

In our own work we strive to make our services as accessible as possible to all women and girls, including women from black and ethnic minority communities, lesbians and disabled women.