I am fundraising for Rape Crisis England & Wales. My own experience with sexual violence, while my rapist faced a charge of rape from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), ended with his decision to kill himself upon learning about the charge. But countless others like me still need support. Rape and sexual abuse are devastating crimes but are unfortunately not uncommon. 1 in 4 women have experienced rape or sexual assault as adults, with 6.5 million women in England and Wales alone enduring such trauma since the age of 16.

Rape Crisis England & Wales plays a vital role in our society:

• They raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of sexual violence in all its forms.

• They advocate for systemic changes in justice, health, education, and society.

• They ensure that specialised support services are available to survivors.

Having had access to an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) myself, I can testify to the crucial support they provide. However, it's disheartening to learn that in East and North London, there's currently a 9-month waiting list for victims in need of an ISVA. Most rape cases go unreported to the police. Statistics show that 5 in 6 women who are raped don’t report it to the police – and the same is true for 4 in 5 men. This makes the presence of an ISVA even more critical to help survivors navigate the complexities of the justice system.

Rape Crisis is actively working to reform systemic issues. Years of campaigning by Rape Crisis (along with other advocacy organisations) led to an amendment in the Victims and Prisoners Bill being accepted by the Government, just last month (April). The amendment raised the legal threshold for the police and defence to access survivors' counselling notes. This change ensures that survivors no longer have to sacrifice their mental health and recovery for the pursuit of justice. You can find out more about what this change means here: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/news/campaign-win-government-changes-law-to-better-protect-survivors-counselling-notes

The reality is that there are far too many victims and survivors of sexual violence, but together, we can make a difference. Your donation can help ensure that victims and survivors are heard, supported, and provided with the assistance they need to rebuild their lives. Please consider donating and being a part of the change.