Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre (OSARCC) is changing its name to Survivor Space Oxfordshire following a 6-month research and consultation process with stakeholders and service users.
The charity will formally relaunch under its new name at an event at the Westgate shopping centre in Oxford, this Saturday 28th September.
Survivor Space’s CEO, Lauren Kendall, said:
“After consultation with staff, survivors, funders and other stakeholders, we feel very confident and excited about what this change heralds. Our new strategy commits us to becoming more visible, inclusive and recognisable, and this rebranding exercise lays the foundations to achieve this important objective.
“We are all looking forward to holding our launch event at the Westgate this weekend and I hope to see many volunteers, supporters and friends who have worked alongside us over the years. I’m hugely grateful to the Westgate for providing us with the exhibition space to raise awareness of our work.”
Renaming and rebranding was identified as a strategic priority to help the charity increase its visibility and reach, following feedback from funders and service users.
The launch event at the Westgate will be on the theme of ‘healthy bodies, healthy relationships.’ It will feature free yoga practice, dance workshops from hip hop theatre company Body Politic, and art activities for all ages.
OSARCC was founded as Oxford Rape Crisis in 1979, and initially run by volunteers until being formally registered as a charity in 2009. In the 45 years since being founded, the organisation has supported thousands of survivors of sexual violence in Oxfordshire.
Last year OSARCC supported 358 survivors, aged 14 and upwards. Based on national statistics and the population of Oxfordshire, there are an estimated 100,000 survivors living in our county.
Survivors and referral agencies signposting to OSARCC will be redirected to the new Survivor Space website to ensure that those who need our support can access it without any barriers.
Who are Survivor Space and what do they do?
Survivor Space is a charity based in Oxfordshire, founded in 1979, focused on providing specialist support to survivors of sexual violence. Formerly known as OSARCC (Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre), Survivor Space is the only organization in the area that offers non-statutory, accredited support specifically for survivors aged 14 and above, regardless of gender.
The services they provide include:
- One-to-One Support: Tailored support sessions for individuals to help them navigate their experiences and access resources.
- Advocacy: Assistance with legal and practical matters, guiding survivors through their options.
- Group Support: Facilitated groups that offer peer support and a shared space for individuals to discuss their experiences.
- Crisis Support: Immediate help for those in urgent need, providing a safe environment for discussion and guidance.
Survivor Space emphasizes creating a safe, confidential space for survivors, aiming to empower them through the recovery process. They also focus on raising awareness about sexual violence and advocating for the rights and needs of survivors within the community.
