mission
Providing specialist support to women and girls who have experienced rape and/or childhood sexual violence and abuse.
vision
A world free from sexual violence, where survivors are believed, respected, and supported.
HISTORY
Rape Crisis South London (RCSL) was launched in 1985 as part of a Women’s Aid project providing a high standard of professional support to female survivors of sexual violence.
In 2001 we became an independent charity based in Croydon under the name Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) .
December 2024, the charity changed its name to Rape Crisis South London, and is the only Rape Crisis Centre in England & Wales solely focused on sexual violence.
OUR VALUES
HOPE SOLIDARITY EMPOWERMENT
We are a feminist organisation, and we view gender inequality as a cause and consequence of violence against women and girls.
We recognise that women’s experiences of sexual violence and seeking support will be different depending on their relationship to intersecting axes of oppression
We strive to embody anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices, and we actively challenge unequal power dynamics in our work and the wider world
Too often, survivors of sexual violence are not provided with the care they deserve. At Rape Crisis South London, trauma informed care through empowerment is at the heart of everything we do
We are committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression and in 2021 we became signatories to the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Anti-Racism Charter.
2025 THE YEAR WE CELEBRATED 40 years of supporting women and girls across south london
our services cover twelve south london boroughs
Programmes and support are available at our main Croydon (female-only centre) or through satellite locations in Bexley. Greenwich. Kingston Upon Thames. Lambeth. Southwark. Wandsworth.
✔ Bexley
✔ Bromley
✔ Croydon
✔ Greenwich
✔ Kingston Upon Thames
✔ Lambeth
✔ Lewisham
✔ Merton
✔ Richmond Upon Thames
✔ Southwark
✔ Sutton
✔ Wandsworth
We pursue our missions through:
Adult counselling (AGE 25+)
Our adult counselling department offers specialist, face-to-face and online counselling.
awareness and prevention
From online communications to media involvement, public events and on-site tutorials, we’re raising awareness of the realities of sexual violence and promoting supportive cultures in schools, at work and at home.
children and young people (CYP) AGE 4+ AND THEIR FAMILIES
We provide unique support services for survivors of rape and sexual violence aged 4 to 24 years.
independent sexual violence advocates (ISVA)& CASEWORK
Our ISVA team offers specialist support to women and girls aged 13 and over and who have survived rape and sexual abuse and who are thinking of reporting to the police or are currently reporting through the criminal justice system.
practitioner training
We offer specialist training to both statutory and voluntary agencies as well as private companies.
Youth and education services
We have developed empowerment workshops for young people which complement the statutory RSHE curriculum and give young people safe spaces to talk openly and honestly about sexual violence and consent.
Survivor Voices
RCSL’s Survivor Voices is a space for women who have used our services in the past and where they can share their insights, be involved in certain aspects of decision-making, and help support and shape our work.
MEMBERSHIP BODIES
Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
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Women’s Resource Centre
National Service Standards
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Helpline Partnerships
OCN London
recognition
GSK Impact Award 2020
Helpline Worker of the Year 2001, 2010 & 2020
Commendation Award from the Sustainable City Awards 2011
Investing in Volunteers 2005