Akima Thomas: "Sexual violence is an intimate and personal form of violence"
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson was recently joined by The Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to an organisation providing new Rape Crisis support to women in west London. The Women and Girls Network was appointed by the Mayor’s Office and Ealing Council to offer a mix of support, counselling, and holistic therapies to women who have experienced rape and sexual violence.
The West London service has been in operation since April 2010, and is part of the Mayor’s pledge to quadruple Rape Crisis provision in the capital. The Mayor and Her Royal Highness met therapists and counsellors at the main venue for the service. The Mayor and HRH have met previously to discuss their joint interest in this field.
Mayor Johnson said: “The new services that the Women and Girls Network provide can literally be a life line to women dealing with the trauma of rape. The Network has over 20 years experience in counselling and understand first hand why these services are so vital for women all across London. It was an honour to be joined by The Duchess of Cornwall who is clearly committed to supporting organisations that help women recover from the trauma of these experiences.”
“This is the second Rape Crisis service my office has supported and a further two will be up and running later this year. I truly hope that soon every woman will have somewhere local to turn to if they need this help.”
Akima Thomas from the Women and Girls Network said: “Sexual violence is an intimate and personal form of violence – the purpose of which is to assert power over and diminish the human being. The impact of such assaults can have debilitating effects on women’s lives resulting in post traumatic stress disorder, phobias, sleep and eating disorders, low self-esteem, lack of confidence and suicide attempts. The effects can go on throughout the woman’s life cycle.
“The work we do at WGN is aimed at total sustainable recovery from the experience of violence. Where women’s and girls’ lives may have been shattered and fragmented, our services are holistic, offering a healing journey involving all aspects of self: mind, body and spirit. This includes access to telephone helpline; one-to-one counselling; body therapies and group counselling. As a result, women are able to fulfil their potential and participate fully in all aspects of their lives and wider society.”
The West London Rape Crisis Centre will work with women and girls over the age of 14 who have experienced all forms of gendered violence, whether historic or recent, including rape, childhood sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, prostitution, trafficking, domestic violence, female genital mutilation and ‘honour’ based violence. Services provided include one to one counselling, support, group therapy, art and body therapies. The service will soon include a new venue in Ealing. With £375,000 funding from the Mayor along with resources and additional funding from Ealing Council, the service will run satellite services across west London.
The London Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Freephone Helpline is 0808 802 9999. This line is open from 12pm – 2.30pm and 7pm – 9.30pm every day of the year.
