Our Background
In 1991 a small group of local people identified the need for an independent support service for survivors of rape and sexual abuse who lived in and around Rugby. Survivors themselves, this small steering group were determined to set up a support group for anyone whose life had been affected by rape or sexual abuse; a far-sighted and unusual approach for that time when many other services excluded male survivors and partners from benefitting from the support offered to women survivors.
Over the next two years they gathered funds, gained the support of local professionals, and set up their own training programme to enable them to start a support service. In 1993 RoSA’s Constitution was formally accepted by the Management Committee, and RoSA was registered as a non-profit making charity with the Charity Commission.
In the early days volunteer and committee meetings were held round kitchen tables, and client rooms were found wherever appropriate agencies would allow volunteers to meet clients free of charge: pioneering times indeed.
Since that time, volunteers and staff have worked hard to establish and develop a service which seeks for a professional approach, but retains the spirit and intention of those first founding volunteers. We are proud of the generous and inclusive aims of our original steering group and are committed to developing the service through continuing survivor involvement at all levels.
In 2000, all these efforts were rewarded when Development Funding was approved by the Community Fund for RoSA to continue its current service, and also to develop its work further with younger survivors and groups.
Since our funding in 2000, we have extended our service into the education system by going into local schools and providing information to young people from year nine to year thirteen in their P.S.H.E. lessons, with the full support of the staff and head teacher. It is our hope that, with further funding, we can deliver these sessions in other schools in the surrounding areas, and extend this further by continuing to work with the education authority.
RoSA continues to develop as an organisation, constantly striving for the highest standards throughout all its work. Our volunteers and members are drawn from all backgrounds, cultural and ethnic groups, bringing many experiences and skills, including many volunteers who are also training to be counsellors.
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