About Us


Home About Us Information for Partners, Friends & Relatives Volunteering Opportunities Donations and Fundraising Contact Us Links	About Us Aylesbury Vale Rape Crisis exists to support women affected by sexual assault, rape or child abuse. The service is for women over sixteen affected by sexual violence. All counsellors are qualified and have received training in supporting women who have experienced abuse. The volunteers and staff providing our other support services are all trained in supporting women affected by abuse and have received additional training in the area of their work. Our service is free. Aylesbury Vale Rape Crisis registered as a charity in 1995. Prior to that we were part of Bucks Rape Crisis. Rape Crisis has been providing a service in Aylesbury Vale since 1990. Confidentiality Aylesbury Vale Rape Crisis is independent of all other organisations. We do not exchange or share information with other organisations. Everything you tell us is confidential to Rape Crisis. We do not ask for your last name or address. How to contact us The service is self-referral. You can contact us by phone, post or email. If you leave a message on our answer phone we will return your call as soon as possible and discretion is assured. Our phone number cannot be obtained by dialling 1471. Other organisations can signpost women to contact us. Who are we for? Women who have experienced rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse recently or in the past. It does not matter how long ago it happened you can use our service. Carers of a woman who has been abused. You may be supporting a partner or friend who has been abused. Mothers of abused children. Male survivors can be given initial phone or email support. If appropriate can be given contact details of organisations that deal with male survivors. What do we offer? Counselling All our counsellors are qualified and have received additional training in supporting women affected by abuse. You can see us as many times as you need. There is no limit to the number of sessions a woman can have. The counselling can continue for as long as both the counsellor and the client feel it is useful. Our service is free. Counselling enables you to move on. The intrusive thoughts become less intense. You will not forget your experience; but can move on and live your life. Counselling will be taken at your pace. The aim is that you should feel in control. Helpline and Phone Support We give information and support by phone. You will speak to someone who has received training in helpline work and additional training in supporting women affected by abuse. If you leave a message on our answer phone we will return your call as soon as possible and discretion is assured. Our number can not be obtained by dialling 1471. Our number may appear on your phone bill. The phone support service is by appointment and for women who want regular, ongoing phone support; usually from the same person. Initial contact is made through the helpline. Befriending The aim of befriending is to enhance the quality of life of women enduring or recovering from distress caused by sexual violence. It can be long term support and involves building a trusting relationship. Hopefully confidence will increase and you will be able to use the skills to take control of your life. You may be able to develop interests and form new relationships with others. Befriending can help you to move on. You might want befriending in addition to other services that we offer or only befriending. Activities may include: Meeting for coffee once a week or fortnight Attending an adult education class Attending a sporting or leisure activity Accompanying for a volunteering opportunity Listening ear Email Support You can contact us by email. This can be for support or for information. You can also arrange face to face appointments by email. We will not keep your email address in our address book. Your email will be deleted immediately after we have sent our reply. support@avrc.org.uk Information and signposting We can give information on a wide range of issues including police, court and medical procedures. Information on housing and benefits can be given. We can also signpost you to relevant organisations. AVRC is an accredited Community Legal Service assisted information provider. Information and support is available for returning to work and learning. Practical Support If you need someone to go with you to the police, court, solicitor or any other appointment we can accompany you. We can also assist with filling in forms. Advocacy An advocate assists others communicate their needs and, if requested, speaks on their behalf. We do this by attending appointments, writing letters, making phone calls assisting with complaints. We also give information so you can speak for your self. Training and Talks Training and talks can be given to local organisations. If your organisation wants to know about our work and the issues we deal with please contact us.

Registered Charity Number 1051608