RAPE CRISIS CENTRE SURVEY ON INTIMATE PARTNER SEXUAL VIOLENCE
It’s been 20 years since rape in marriage became a crime in Scotland (it did not become a criminal offence until 1991 in England and Wales) but 20 years on, intimate partner sexual violence remains a very hidden and unspoken of aspect of domestic abuse.
Glasgow Rape Crisis Centre is undertaking an online survey on intimate partner sexual violence, asking women to look at the questionnaire and complete it as far as they can and to cascade it down to others within their organizations and networks in the hope that as many women as possible will participate. The link to our survey is:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=1MbF_2b6HdMQ9Tdpzh_2f_2fYQZw_3d_3d
We know that some of the questions we are asking women to answer in this survey may raise issues that are very sensitive, and may bring back memories of past, or of current abuse. We want to assure women that they can get the support they need and that there are a number of organizations that can help, and services that they can access by phone or in person. If you feel that you’d like to speak to someone about sexual violence or domestic abuse you can contact:
Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline: Helpline – 08088 01 03 02
www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk. This helpline service is open each evening between 6.00 pm and midnight.
If you live outside of the Glasgow Rape Crisis area, you can find your local rape crisis centre by calling the rape crisis Scotland helpline or by checking their website.
Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 027 1234
This national helpline is open 24 hours a day and you will be able to access support and information about your local women's aid group.
Scottish Women's Aid: www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk to find details of your nearest women's aid group.
For women in England: Helpline 0800 2000 247 or go online to www.womensaid.org.uk for details of your nearest women's aid group.
Rape Crisis in Glasgow will be hosting a one day conference on 11th March 2009 to raise awareness about the issue of intimate partner sexual violence and to highlight its prevalence. As one of the national rape crisis campaign images, a photograph of a newly married couple showed the strapline, ‘This is not an invitation to rape me’ and this image has resonated with many people and raised much debate about domestic/sexual abuse. We hope to continue that debate and to raise the issue of sexual violence against women whenever, and wherever we can. www.thisisnotaninvitationtorapeme.co.ukWe are grateful for your help with this survey.
Isabelle Kerr
