Rape Crisis Scotland

Aims and objectives of this evaluation

The aims of the evaluation are overlapping and are specified by RCS as to:

• Establish the nature of the rape crisis support services available to survivors

• Assess the effectiveness of these services

• Identify any gaps in rape crisis service provision

The objectives are to:

• Identify the extent, quality and diversity of rape crisis support services currently available to survivors of sexual violence

• Identify any gaps in existing rape crisis service provision

• Assess the impact and effectiveness of rape crisis service provision

• Assess to what extent the national helpline and local rape crisis centres provide integrated support to survivors

Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS) commissioned this literature review in the context of considering the extent to which the national RCS helpline is integrated with local rape crisis centres in Scotland.

This is connected to development work by RCS to clearly specify how the organisation, national and locally, supports survivors of sexual violence and how that might be quality assured. This is important for ensuring high quality services but also for considering future funding in a context of reduced resources and in which other organisations, generic and specialist, also support survivors of sexual violence.

The review considers the pros and cons of providing dedicated sexual violence services. It also summarises information about the nature of sexual violence; the response in Scotland; and what survivors want.

‘It’s the difference between having quality of life and not’ : Support for survivors of sexual violence: the Rape Crisis response

Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS), the national office for the network of centres in Scotland, provides a national helpline and email support for anyone (aged 13 and over) affected by sexual violence. The 13 autonomous local member centres (rape crisis centres/RCCs) support women who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives. Some centres support men who have experienced sexual violence. RCCs also support families and friends of survivors and are a source of information for agencies such as health, housing and social work. All centres and the national helpline are working towards agreed national service standards published in 2012.

In 2012 RCS commissioned an evaluation of support provided by the national helpline and local centres which included an assessment of the extent to which the national helpline and local rape crisis centres provide integrated support to survivors. The evaluation included interviews with local centres and survivors who described the support they received and the difference this made to them. This paper summarises some key points from the evaluation, particularly the feedback from survivors; and an accompanying literature review which looked at the pros and cons of providing dedicated sexual violence services.

Supporting male survivors of sexual violence

Bullying and harassment of any kind are in no-one’s interest and should not be tolerated in the workplace, but if you are being bullied or harassed it can be difficult to know what to do about it.
This leaflet:
• gives employees1 basic information about bullying and harassment
• summarises the responsibilities of employers
• outlines some of the options open to you
• points you to sources of further information and advice.