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Awareness Week February 1st-7th 2016

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence awareness week is coming up.

This has been established to give an opportunity for the general public, statutory and third sector organisations to participate in a discussion about sexual abuse and sexual violence. During the week people will raise awareness about sexual abuse and sexual violence and how to prevent it in the UK.

This is happening across the entire United Kingdom.

To get involved-

If you are an individual you can join the conversation on social media following the topic hashtag and/or make contact with your local organisation to get involved in promoting awareness.

Find out more information about the week by following this link to the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness page.

Our Big, “Big” News!

We are absolutely delighted to tell you our great news … 

We have been awarded a grant of £428,998 by the Big Lottery Fund’s “Reaching Communities” programme. All funds  will be used to support children, women and men affected by sexual violence and abuse to overcome the traumatic effects and make positive outcomes and live a future with hope and confidence. 

This grant will allow us to continue our valuable work offering one to one specialist sexual violence counselling from our premises in Birmingham city centre, as well as outreach services across Birmingham and Solihull. This 4 year grant will allow us to increase the number of RSVP counsellors, helping us to respond to the 275% increase in the number of people requesting RSVP counselling (from 2010 to 2015) and to reduce the times that people wait for counselling. This means that we can support and inspire more children, women and men affected by sexual violence and abuse and respond to their needs much more quickly and effectively. As one survivor said “ RSVP counselling gives you the opportunity to talk openly what happened to you, in a way which is too hard to do with friends or family. RSVP literally saved my life and gave me my future back.”

These are exciting times here at RSVP, as we grow our services. We are extremely thankful for this funding from The Big Lottery and look forward to working with them in the future. Read more about all the latest awards The Big Lottery has made: https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/press-releases/england/110116_eng_dlf_sportingmemories

Santa Cause

Thanks to those who supported- we raised £2000 for support services for sexual violence survivors.

A page in Bham Living magazine.

To see photos from the event click here to go to Birmingham Living.

Shatter the Silence: an insight into sexual abuse

RSVP are pleased to present, on Saturday 27th February 2016, this introductory insight into the impact of rape and sexual abuse, and how it may affect survivors and their support networks, with trainer and qualified psychotherapist Amina Begum.

The programme offers information and knowledge about the mental health effects of sexual violence, and how to support survivors to live confidently and independently. Amina will also be discussing and exploring the barriers and cultural issues that may prevent individuals from taking appropriate actions, and why many survivors remain silent.

This training programme has been produced for health, and mental health professionals, carers, therapists. The event is open to anyone who has an interest in this field, including those who may have contact with survivors.

Shatter the Silence: An Insight Into Rape & Sexual Abuse

Saturday 27th February, 10am-3pm.

Grosvenor House, 14 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5RS

Booking info: £45 per person + booking fee, please book via www.eventbrite.co.uk

How can you help this Christmas?

Make a big difference this Christmas by donating to RSVP and supporting survivors of sexual abuse and rape.

We rely heavily on donations, and any donation, big or small, is a real help.

£5 pays for one person to travel to a counselling appointment
£10 pays for a volunteer counsellor to deliver three sessions
£100 pays for a day’s training for new counsellors, so we can support more people

Here’s how you could help…

• Text donation: It’s easy to donate. Just text RSVP30 £5 (or any other amount) to 70070
• Localgiving.com: You can make monthly or single donations online.
• Charity Checkout: Another easy way to donate online.
• Or give direct via Paypal using the donate button:

And there are giving options that won’t cost you a thing:

• Give as you live: A shopping app that directs a percentage of every purchase you make to us, at no extra cost to you! Simply visit www.giveasyoulive.com or www.easyfundraising.org.uk to learn more and download the apps.
• Everyclick: Make Everyclick your internet search engine and nominate RSVP as your charity. Every time you click on the internet we get a small sum of money at no cost to you.
• Advant-age: You can donate to RSVP while buying flowers, gifts and even via your energy provider! With a 10% discount off flowers and gifts just by quoting RSVP and a guarantee to be on the best price available from our energy provider it’s a great way to support us! Visit www.advant-age.co.uk/rsvp and browse the products available, quote RSVP when making purchases, and we will get a donation from the provider.

Thank you for your support, and do help us out by spreading the word!

Rape is a human rights abuse

Did you know that today is Human Rights Day?

Many people are still unaware of the existence of the International Bill of Human Rights and many countries around the world still have much to do to build political institutions, judicial systems, and economies that allow ordinary people to live with dignity.

At RSVP, we challenge sexual violence victim-blaming myths. Rape and abuse is a violation of human rights.

We think it’s really important to recognise that there is still much work to be done both here and around the world to allow ordinary people to live their lives in freedom. Here in Birmingham in 2015 we’ve added 11 new counselling volunteers and 9 helpline volunteers to our team and we’re providing support for more than 2,000 people, but we know the need for our work is even greater than this.

16 Days of Activism – Stop Violence Against Women and Girls

In the lead up to Human Rights Day on 10th December, the United Nations launched the 16 Days of Activism campaign to end violence against women and girls.

The theme this year is ‘orange the world’.  Campaigners have been sharing photos, messages and videos at facebook.com/SayNO.UNiTE and twitter.com/SayNO_UNiTE using #orangetheworld.

1 in 3 women around the world have experience sexual or physical violence. We need to keep shouting, and keep campaigning to protect the rights of women and girls.

Receptionist vacancy

RSVP are recruiting a part time receptionist for 16 hours per week. Your duties will include answering the telephone and basic admin duties. Successful applicants will be required to start as soon as possible.

Salary: £15,523 pro rata

Hours: Wednesday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-5pm

Closing date for applications is 3^rd January 2016.

For more information speak to Anjella on 0121 643 0301 or via email info@rsvporg.co.uk

Receptionist Application Form

Person Specification for receptionist

Receptionist Job Description

Refugee and asylum seeker counsellor vacancy

Vacancy – Part-Time Counsellor for Female Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Salary – £22,937 pro rata

Hours – Friday 9am to 5pm

Based at RSVP in Birmingham City Centre.

You will offer counselling to female asylum seekers and refugees who have experienced sexual violence or sexual torture. A Diploma/Degree in counselling is essential. It would be an advantage to have experience of working with this client group although this is not essential. As interpreters will be provided, knowledge of working with interpreters is advantageous.

Closing date January 10^th 2016.

For more information speak to Anjella on 0121 643 0301 or via email info@rsvporg.co.uk

Application form

Person Specification

Job description

Remembering Vicky