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Survivors At The Centre: Our Talk With the Victims’ Commissioner

At the start of the first Victims Rights Week (September 21–27, 2026) by the West Midlands Police And Crime Commisssioner, RSVP and our sister organisation GINA had a great opportunity. We welcomed the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman OBE, and the West Midlands PCC Victims Advocate Natalie Queiroz, whose own lived experience gives a voice to many survivors of domestic abuse.

Just a few days later, the Government announced a series of reforms aimed at improving how rape and serious sexual offence cases are handled. The changes include fixed trial dates, specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offences in every Crown Court across England and Wales, and better facilities for victims, including private waiting rooms and separate entrances.

These changes come in response to a system that, for too long, has failed many survivors. With rape cases taking an average of 424 days to reach Crown Court, it is unsurprising that many victims withdraw from the process before their case is heard. As Andy Burnham recently stated, victims of rape and serious sexual offences have felt “let down” by the justice system for far too long, and that this is NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

We see the personal, human impact of “not good enough” every day.

Behind every statistic is a person whose life has been placed on hold while they wait for justice. At RSVP, we have supported survivors who have waited as long as nine years from reporting an offence to seeing their case reach court. Others have faced repeated postponements, with trial dates moved multiple times or sentencing hearings delayed at the last minute.

Some survivors have arrived at court expecting the protections they were promised, only to be directed through the main public entrance and forced to fear coming in contact with the person accused of harming them. Others have felt unable to continue and have withdrawn from the process altogether.

These experiences can have a profound impact on wellbeing, recovery and confidence in the justice system.

However, we also see the difference that dedicated, specialist support can make. Our ISVAs walk alongside survivors throughout what is often a long and difficult journey, providing practical guidance, emotional support and advocacy at every stage.

We welcome these proposed reforms by the government, which offer hope that future survivors may face fewer barriers and less uncertainty. However, meaningful change will depend not only on policy announcements, but on their effective implementation. There is a need for a radical and urgent overhaul. We echo the concerns that Claire Waxman voiced in her open letter to the Prime Minister, stating: “As you prepare to set out your ten-year vision for the country through your Plan for Britain, I urge you to place criminal justice at its heart. Victims need more than assurances that the system will hold together.”

Survivors deserve a justice system that is timely, compassionate and trauma-informed. RSVP and GINA look forward to helping these changes ease survivors through improved criminal justice processes, and will continue working to ensure that every survivor’s voice is heard, supported and respected.

Raising The Bar: Are You Ready for the Changes to Workplace Harassment Law?

Since October 2024, employers have had a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work.

But what does this mean in practice?

From reasonable to “all reasonable” steps.

There is no one-size-fits-all checklist. What is reasonable will depend on an organisation’s size, sector, resources, working environment and the risks faced by its workers.

Employers should be able to demonstrate that they have proactively identified risks and taken appropriate action. This could include:

· Risk assessments: Identifying potential hotspots, including lone working, power imbalances, alcohol at work events, customer-facing roles, travel, remote working and social media

· Policies and procedures: Ensuring anti-harassment, bullying, grievance and disciplinary policies are effective, current and communicated to all workers

· Training: Making sure staff and managers understand what harassment looks like, how to raise concerns and how to respond appropriately to disclosures

· Listening to workers: Using one-to-ones, staff surveys, exit interviews and other feedback to identify concerns and monitor workplace culture

· Clear reporting: Providing accessible reporting routes and responding to concerns promptly, fairly and sensitively, with appropriate safeguards against further harassment or victimisation

· Third-party risks: Considering how workers may be exposed to harassment from customers, clients, suppliers, contractors or members of the public.

The message is clear: prevention needs to be active, ongoing and evidenced — not simply a policy sitting in a handbook.

What changes in October 2026?

The Employment Rights Act 2025 will:

☑️Strengthen the preventative duty.

☑️Employers will need to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers.

☑️Introduce third-party harassment protections.

☑️Employers will have an obligation not to permit harassment of their workers by third parties.

☑️Increase the potential consequences.

Where a tribunal finds that an employer has breached the preventative duty following a successful sexual harassment claim, compensation can be increased by up to 25%.

These changes build on wider reforms, including stronger whistleblowing protection for workers who report sexual harassment, introduced in April 2026.

How can RSVP help?

The Rape and Sexual Violence Project (RSVP) provides free counselling and advocacy for survivors of sexual violence and abuse across Birmingham and Solihull. Our specialist training team also works with organisations to help prevent sexual harassment and create safer, more inclusive workplaces.

Support can include:

Policy review and gap analysis – reviewing existing policies and procedures and identifying areas for improvement.

Workplace risk assessments – helping organisations identify higher-risk roles, environments and situations and develop practical action plans.

Tailored training – providing staff, manager and leadership training on harassment, bystander intervention, responding to disclosures and creating positive workplace cultures.

Reporting and cultural audits – reviewing reporting systems, consulting with staff and helping organisations identify and address cultural or systemic concerns.

Counselling support – through RSVP’s sister organisation, GINA, counselling packages can also be arranged for employees affected by sexual violence and harassment.

The RSVP team has supported organisations including Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Aston University, West Midlands Business Festival, the Solicitors Regulation Authority, BHSF, Colmore BID and Safer Dance – Night Time Economies Project.

Income from RSVP’s consultancy and training services helps fund its vital counselling and advocacy services.

Scan the QR code or click here to see all our upcoming training sessions.

Is your organisation ready?

The move from “reasonable steps” to “all reasonable steps” is more than a change in wording. It is a prompt for employers to look closely at their workplace culture, understand where risks exist and make sure prevention is embedded in everyday practice.

RSVP can help you understand the risks, strengthen your approach and build safer workplaces.

For more information, contact trainer@rsvporg.co.uk

Reclaiming Her Strength: A Young Survivor’s Journey

Oliwia, a young survivor we supported, reached out to us after finishing university. Looking back at her extraordinary feat of earning her degree, finding her passion, and reclaiming her space as a young woman and survivor, we are beyond hopeful to see what the future brings for her.

She thanked RSVP in her final dissertation for supporting her through a difficult time. And in return, we also thank her for being a beacon of hope for every survivor who has struggled or is struggling after trauma. Healing is realising there are lighter days ahead.

Following is Oliwia’s experience in her own words:

People say turning 16 is just so sweet, but for me it wasn’t it was the worst year ever. I’ve had the worst thing happen to me that I didn’t know was possible or that men like that actually existed. Yes, you hear the stories, feels like a myth, but those disgusting creatures actually exist.

My story is that I was raped, sexually assaulted and threatened by the same man. Words can’t begin to describe how I felt. I was disgusted in my own skin, especially since I’d lost my virginity through rape. This wasn’t something I wanted to experience and knowing that my ‘cherry had popped’ was traumatising, especially at the age of 16 when all I wanted to do was become a famous actress. I lost everything, my passion for acting and drama, and isolating myself from everyone. For nine months, I didn’t want to talk about what had happened.

Additionally I was given an advocate that would help with the Police and any documents that needed to be doing, help with any issues or concerns we’ve had. This was useful because my advocate was able to help me fill out a form to report the Police Officers I’ve had, and it came out they ran my case wrong from the very start.

Through out the therapy, came out my case has been closed and there won’t be a court case. I felt devastated, lost, and felt like I let myself 16 year old self down because Police didn’t do much, changed the Police officer half way through and they didn’t look at if he (the abuser) had done anything previously. When I heard the news my advocate helped me to fill out a form for someone to review my case again, and came out there was more victims and that it was going to court.

Thanks to RSVP, when I heard that it was going to court I was given extra therapy, help and advice.

Throughout the extra year and a half, my advocate was able to show me how the court will look like, help me fill out the forms if needed and be there in court for me. It felt like RSVP was just more than therapy and people, but felt like they were part of my family that supported me at my darkest points in my life. Where I thought I didn’t have any more strength, they were there to support me and told me to carry on, even at points where I’ve thought I wanted to give up on life and where I’ve felt like everything was my fault for everything that happened.

Over time these small steps made a big difference.  Things that once seemed impossible gradually became manageable and I regained confidence trust and a sense of control over my life.

RSVP is more than just therapy and a place of support but will be there with you for life and I’m super grateful to have been able to get support from them.

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You can follow Oliwia’s bold, vibrant life online on Instagram via her username @oliwiawudarwoicz

Thank You Curry for Charity: The Taste of Giving

In July, we were delighted to hear from Fiza and Kamran, the kind souls behind Curry For Charity. For many years, they have been supporting local and national causes, using their love language of food to do good and raise money for essential services.

Within a month, the fantastic team put together the fundraising event in support of RSVP: a heart-warming evening of delicious curries and community spirit. The taste of giving can fill every soul!

A big thank you to all who joined us for a wonderful dinner and helped us raise funds during such a difficult funding period in RSVP. To know more about our funding situation, check out our Recovery Appeal.

Every pound shows that survivors have a safe space, with RSVP.

Jo’s 100 Miles Dog Walking Challenge

Strengthening the RSVP Recovery Appeal is the 100 Miles Dog Walking Challenge by our dear supporter and colleague, Jo.

We’re so grateful for her dedication (and her four-legged companions too!). Together, they’re putting in the miles to raise both funds and awareness for our work.

If you want to consider taking on a challenge of your own and raise funds for RSVP, we’d love to make it happen! Write to us at info@rsvporg.co.uk today.

Update: Extension due to Heat Wave

The red weather alert and high temperatures are impacting everyone in the UK, including Jo and her loving pets. That’s why the 100 Miles Dog Walking Challenge has to be paused till the weather cools down.

Read Jo’s update in her own words:

We thank Jo for sticking through this tough time, and will keep supporters posted when they are back on the walks again!

September will offer a pleasant weather to join Jo for the last few miles of the challenge. Keep a look out for her invitaton to join the trio for the final walks. Please come along, if you can, to help Jo finish strong.

Update: The RSVP Recovery Appeal Going Strong

Everyone from RSVP, and the survivors we stand alongside with, are deeply grateful for your continued support. Whether you’ve been with us for years or have only recently joined our community, thank you for choosing to stand with survivors of sexual violence. 

Your solidarity strengthens our work and reminds survivors that they are not alone.

Two Months of Impact

In June, we launched our RSVP Recovery Appeal to recover from our funding crisis. We aimed to raise £5,000 by August to rebuild our vital services, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far.

Thanks to your kindness and support, we’ve now reached 70% of our target. This is a fantastic milestone and a testament to the strength of the community standing alongside us, for survivors.

A big thank you! We truly couldn’t do this without you.

Extending The Appeal

Due to your generous support, we are now extending our appeal for one more month. We are very close to our goal, so let’s reach the finish line together.

If you’ve already donated, thank you. If you’ve been considering making a gift, now is the perfect time. We look forward to turn this 70% into 100%. Together, we can make our recovery a reality.

Some of our dearest supporters have taken by their own ways to fundraise in support of our Recovery Appeal. For instance, check out the 100 Miles Dog Walking Challenge by Jo here.

If you also have something in mind to support RSVP, we’d love to work with you! Write to us at info@rsvporg.co.uk today.

A Survivor Running for Survivors

An inspiring survivor, Courtney, who once found support from our services, has recently run the Royal Sutton Fun Run in May 2026. Her run was fuelled by her strength through trauma and we are utterly proud of everything she has achieved.

This is Courtney’s experience in her words:

I recently took part in the Sutton Fun Run, an 8.5-mile run, alongside colleagues from work and completed it in 2 hours and 52 minutes. While I walked the route rather than ran it, crossing the finish line was a huge achievement for me and something I am very proud of as I have never done anything like that before.

The atmosphere throughout the day was incredible. There were supporters cheering everyone on along the route, and having a few family members there to encourage me made such a difference. It was a warm day, and I made the most of every opportunity to cool down. Every time I saw someone with a hosepipe or a bucket of water, I was asking them to soak me!

I chose to support RSVP because their service had a significant impact on my life. I received counselling through RSVP for several years during a particularly difficult period, and the support I received helped me through some of my toughest times. I will always be grateful for the kindness, understanding and guidance I was given, especially by my counsellor, Mike.

Being able to give something back to a charity that helped me so much, as well as help so many others, felt incredibly meaningful. Through the challenge, I was able to raise £405, and knowing that this money could help other people access the support they need made every mile worthwhile.

Our Take On UK’s Violence Against Women and Girls (2025- 2030)

At RSVP, we welcome the Government’s recently published Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy. We are relieved it has finally been released, following several postponements, making it long overdue. We are relieved, because actions to reduce and respond to VAWG are needed now more than ever.

Key Concerns about the VAWG Strategy

• Education alone cannot counter the scale of pornography harms:
  Expecting parents, carers and teachers to offset the influence of multi‑million‑pound porn platforms, designed to push violent, misogynistic content to children, is unrealistic. We need stronger action on the platforms themselves and a society that stops profiting from the sexualisation of women and girls. Young people also need ongoing, specialist‑led reflective spaces to explore and unpick what they’ve seen. Evidence‑based programmes, like Time to Talk delivered by Safer Together and other by the specialist sector, must be prioritised.
• Teachers are not specialists, and cannot be expected to carry this work alone:
  Improvements to Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RHSE) are welcome. However, disclosures, trauma and creating safety for young people to have complex conversations requires specialist skills and survivor‑informed practice. Properly funded specialist services must work alongside schools, supporting already overstretched teachers, who are not fully trained to respond to abuse and misogyny.
• NHS referral expansion without resourcing specialist services will lead to increased distress for survivors:
  Health already refers around a third of survivors into specialist organisations like RSVP. We are concerned that rolling out “Steps to Safety” nationally will increase referrals to our sector even further, with no additional resource provided to meet this rising demand. Without investment, survivors will simply face longer waits and experience greater distress.
• Commitment to provide “holistic, tailored support” can only happen with long‑term funding:
  The Strategy sets out a vision for a coordinated, responsive system over the next decade. Without secure, ring‑fenced funding though, these commitments will remain aspirational, and fail to become reality. Survivors need support now, they cannot wait years for a system that works.
• Children under 16 are missing from the Strategy’s headline measure of VAWG:
  The goal to halve VAWG relies on data that excludes children under 16, despite high numbers being subjected to sexual abuse in childhood. This omission risks masking the true scale of abuse, and leaves a significant group of children invisible in national targets.
• Child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors are still waiting for the promised “standalone response”:
  The Strategy acknowledges that CSA requires its own specialist approach, yet provides no timeline. After years of delays in implementing the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

Our Final Thoughts:

Investment in the specialist sexual abuse sector is long overdue and essential. For decades, services like ours have been asked to do a lot with very little. Now, more than ever, we are being stretched beyond capacity. During Covid, additional funding recognised our work as vital and an emergency service. Now, we need the same level of prioritisation again if we are to avoid letting survivors down.
Proper funding means we can respond well, reduce distressing delays and ensure every survivor gets the support they need, when they need it, in order to rebuild their lives with hope and confidence after sexual abuse.

Garfield Weston Foundation Supports RSVP

Birmingham and Solihull sexual abuse charity was awarded £30,000 in February 2025 by the Garfield Weston Foundation towards core costs.

Rape and Sexual Violence Project (RSVP) is delighted to announce that the Garfield Weston Foundation have awarded £30,000 towards the core running costs of the charity. Core costs are vital to charities as the charity can decided where to spend the money, in RSVP’s case the funds will support our wellbeing services.

Lisa Thompson, Chief Executive of RSVP, said: ‘We are now in our 47^th year of supporting survivors of rape and sexual violence, we cannot do this essential service without donations and grants from individuals and organisations like the Garfield Weston Foundation. We hope that this is the start of a long-standing relationship with the foundation.”

About Garfield Weston Foundation:

Established in 1958, the Garfield Weston Foundation is a family-founded grant-maker that gives money to support a wide variety of charities across the UK. The Foundation’s funding comes from an endowment of shares in the Weston family business – a successful model that still exists today. The Weston family have a consistent aim. The more successful the family businesses, the more money the Foundation can donate.

Each year the foundation gives away its income and donations have continued to grow. Since it was established it has donated over £1.5 billion, of which over half has been given away in the past ten years. In the most recent financial year the Foundation gave away over £100 million to just under 1,800 charities across the UK.

11/03/2025

Introducing Our New Head of Fundraising & Partnerships

At the end of April, Cara Donald, our previous Head of Fundraising left to take on a new role at the national charity, Papyrus. We wish Cara all the best in her new role, we know she will be fabulous and thank her for everything she has achieved at RSVP through her role as Head and before that, through her role as Specialist Trainer.

Following the sad feelings about Cara leaving, the great news is that we have recruited quickly into this role and from 24^th June, we are delighted that Paula Dower will take on the Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at RSVP. We can’t wait to give Paula a big-hearted welcome to RSVP.

Paula has worked in the charity sector since 2000 and for DASH (Disability Arts in Shropshire) since 2004, first as General Manager and Operations Director from 2012, when she began fundraising, raising over £1million through Arts Council England and grant-making trusts. While fundraising was part of Paula’s role, her focus on finance also ensured liquidity. Her organisational development skills saw DASH morph and grow through many changes during her time.

She has worked with a variety of stakeholders on numerous projects including volunteers, artists, council staff, Higher Education research staff, voluntary organisations, arts centres, galleries, museums, Arts Council England, trusts and foundations. One of her favourite projects was PROCESSIONS in 2018. Selected as one of one hundred organisations in the country to create banners to celebrate the first votes for women. Led by Paula, the DASH banner was created by over one hundred women and girls, who proudly paraded their banner in Cardiff shouting “WE ARE HERE!” on 10th June 2018.

Paula says: “It was such a fantastic day, and I was so happy to have been able to provide the opportunity for their voices to be heard.

I am thrilled to be working for RSVP to support and develop services to ensure survivors’ voices are also heard and believed.

As a survivor myself I know the importance RSVP’s work, and I feel really proud to be one of the team.”