We are the pupils and staff of Ryle House at Brighton College and we are raising money and awareness for Brighton Women's Centre.

From 1st Dec to 1st Jul 2024 we aim to be running, jogging, walking and swimming towards a combined total of 8203km in support of the BWC.

Please help us to fund this incredibly worthy charity!

Why 8203km?

In Brighton and Hove 8,203 women between 16-74 reported domestic abuse and violence in 2021-2022. This figure is shocking to us.

The ONS said that Sussex Police recorded 1,233 sexual offences in Brighton and Hove in 2021-22.

In the UK, 68,109 rapes were recorded by police between July 2022 and June 2023. By the end of that 12-month period, charges had been brought in just 2.2% (1,498) of cases. 98% of adults prosecuted for sexual offences are men. But most survivors don't report it to the police.5 in 6 women who are raped don’t report – and the same is true for 4 in 5 men.

Lots of these survivors tell someone else what happened. So, why don't they tell the police?

40% said ‘embarrassment’

38% said they didn’t think the police could help

34% said they thought it would be humiliating

How many women are raped or sexually assaulted every year?

798,000. That's 1 in 30 women. So, probably at least one woman you know was raped or sexually assaulted in the last 12 months. https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-informed/statistics-sexual-violence/

Please give to help us to support BWC, who can help women going through these difficult times.

BWC has been supporting self-identifying women in Brighton and Hove for over 45 years. They help women who are dealing with variety of needs including trauma, bereavement, homelessness, survivors of abuse or discrimination. Their aims are to empower women and promote independence in a safe, inclusive, women-only space. The services they offer include counselling, groupwork, open access drop ins, holistic therapies, volunteer training and self development courses. They provide a foodbank to assist people in poverty who rely on them for food, and an Ofsted registered pre-school in recognition of the importance of childcare. BWC welcomes all women, regardless of ethnicity, sexuality, age or religion.

• £25 could provide a subsidised space in our creche provide affordable childcare for women that were most in need

• £30 could provide a week’s worth of food, toiletries and menstrual products from our foodbank for one woman

• £50 could pay for a counselling session for a woman who is looking for specialist emotional support. “More than 90% of the women referred to therapy are at high risk of suicide, self-harming behaviours and severe isolation. They need 1:1 therapeutic support.” Lisa Dando, Director

• £90 could train a volunteer to answer our Women Supporting Women phone line to offer women emotional support, information and referrals to other BWC services.

• £100 could provide a large family enough food to eat for a week