RSACC and Durham University’s Collingwood College Football Team join forces to support sexual violence survivors in Darlington and Co. Durham
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre for Darlington and County Durham (RSACC) has been chosen by Durham University’s Collingwood College Football Club (CCAFC) as their annual charity, with the football club helping to raise essential funds to support the work of RSACC.
RSACC offers free confidential counselling and support to girls and women who have experienced any form of sexual violence. It is a charity run by and for women, working to end rape and sexual violence in Darlington and County Durham by supporting and empowering women and girls.
Sexual violence plagues every facet of society. It does not discriminate. The impacts are life-changing and can-be long-lasting. However, counselling can help survivors to thrive and lead happy, healthy lives.
Like most charities, RSACC has been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Both on its ability to fund-raise and also by an impact on its Services – many of which have gone online. In addition, lockdown helped create an environment where abuse could flourish unseen, with many sexual violence survivors unable to seek help and support from the charity. There is an expectation that once the COVID-19 limitations are removed, many more survivors will seek the specialist expertise, understanding and support provided by RSACC’s staff.
Dan Aichen, from CCAFC’s Executive said:
“Due to Coronavirus, fundraising has never been more essential, but never more difficult, hence why we are proud to be supporting such a fantastic and relevant cause. As a club we understand the prevalence of sexual violence against women and girls across the country is a large issue, and more specifically it is an issue that needs to be addressed across the Durham University community.
We understand there is a toxic rape culture that creates the space for rape and sexual violence among students and as a club we want to challenge this, educate our members, as well as provide support through fundraising events where possible in this Covid-affected year.
We are currently planning our annual 24 football hour match (date TBC) and a charity formal to raise much needed funds – all dependent on what COVID-19 restrictions may still be in place. We are also looking at other fundraising initiatives such as encouraging members to pick RSACC as their chosen charity on their Facebook birthday fundraiser amongst other ideas.”
2020 is RSACC’s 30th birthday, and celebrations – along with a number of planned fundraising activities – had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. Therefore the fundraising planned by CCAFC is hugely welcome. And the fundraisers have been given an extra-special bonus, as RSACC will also benefit from Local Giving’s match-funding from October 27th to November 3rd. So for every £1.00 raised, the charity will receive £2.00. To make the most of this, CCAFC are planning a 24 hour fancy dress run in Durham City on October 31st with members of the club’s executive taking a 30mins – 1hr running slot.
The team will also be wearing the charity’s logo on their strip.
RSACC CEO, Deputy CEO Isabel Owens commented:
“It’s fantastic that CCAFC has decided to fundraise for RSACC. In the midst of the current pandemic, there’s a danger that charities like ours get overlooked. The irony is that as well as supporting our existing clients, we know that lockdown will have helped faciliate sexual violence, with survivors unable to seek support. As the limitations ease we can only anticipate that our already challenging waiting list will increase.
Since lockdown began we have supported 912 survivors through expert counselling and other tailored support, but our waiting list currently stands at between 6 and 12 months for counselling. Therefore this fundraising will help more women and girls to receive the dedicated treatment and advice that they so badly need.
It is also essential that we are able to maintain our outreach work and campaigning. Raising vital issues such as consent, as well as ensuring that our young people understand the seriousness of rape and sexual violence and the devastating impact it has on survivors lives. Few families and institutions are untouched by sexual violence, including Durham University. We have had a relationship with the University for 8 years, providing specialist counselling to survivors for most of that time.”
CCAFC also plans to use the platform they have to help RSACC’s campaigning and educational work, and will work with the charity to increase the awareness of these serious issues amongst students across Collingwood and Durham University.
If anyone has experienced sexual violence, they can contact RSACC’s free, anonymous and confidential Helpline for emotional support and advice on 0300 222 5730 (Monday – Thursday 10am to 2pm).
To make the most of Local Giving’s match-funding, if you would like to donate to RSACC, monies raised from 27th October – Nov 3rd will be doubled if you donate through the charity’s Local Giving page: https://localgiving.org/charity/rsacc/.