Provide Community is proud to present a £2,000 donation to the rape and sexual abuse specialist service, SERICC. The charity provides specialist services to anyone who is experiencing, or who has experienced, any form of sexual violence at any time in their life.
Founded in 1981, after a small group of determined and committed women set up an activist group, which went on to open as a telephone helpline, SERICC registered as an official charity in 1983.
Using secure online rooms and a safe professional environment, SERICC offers counselling by telephone or in person. The charity also offers emotional support and practical information. Acting independently from social services, the police and other independent agencies, SERICC operates in a non-judgmental space that prioritises the well-being and mental health of its service users.
Since its inception, SERICC has steadily grown to extend the range of appropriate services for young girls, women and anyone who is affected by any kind of sexual violence and abuse. SERICC is also a member of the Synergy Essex partnership, which delivers a number of projects including the pioneering ‘First Contact Navigators’. Funded by the National Lottery, the project enabled victims of sexual assault to access guidance over the telephone from a professional team of advisers who can direct victims towards local services in their area.
When asked about the donation, SERICC’s Office Manager Karen Vaux commented:
“Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse (CARA), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis).
“We would like to thank Provide Community for their generous donation of £2,000. The funds will go towards specialist community-based services in Essex for victims and survivors of all forms of sexual violence and abuse, sexual domestic violence, sexual harassment and child sexual abuse.”
Governor at Provide Community Tilly Kelly, who visited the SERICC offices commented on the donation:
“The SERICC offices in Thurrock have been transformed into a safe and caring space for survivors for whatever their needs may be.
“They have recently purchased a house next door to their offices, which will be used for more therapy rooms and general meeting space.
“The staff of SERICC are extremely supportive and dedicated to their work and it really showed throughout my visit with them.
“As they work alongside our Thurrock Sexual Health quite regularly, it was amazing to see both services come together to discuss their work and how it supports victims in the Thurrock area and beyond.”
