History Mission
& Values

Since 1985, we’ve supported women and girls across South London, helping them to reclaim their lives and build trust in themselves  

RCSL Mission

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.

OUR VALUES

SOLIDARITY. EMPOWER. HOPE

We are a feminist organisation, and we view gender inequality as a cause and consequence of violence against women and girls

We strive to embody anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices, and we actively challenge unequal power dynamics in our work and the wider world

We recognise that women’s experiences of sexual violence and seeking support will be different depending on their relationship to intersecting axes of oppression

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

where we came from

Rape Crisis South London was launched in 1985 as part of a Women’s Aid project under the name Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC). 

In 2010 we became an independent charity based in Croydon. We focus on providing a high standard of professional support to female survivors of sexual violence. 

In December 2024, the charity changed its name to Rape Crisis 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

Our adult counselling department offers specialist, face-to-face and online counselling for women aged 25 and over who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives.

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)

We provide unique support services for survivors of rape and sexual violence aged 4 to 24 years.

independent sexual violence advocates (ISVA)

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.

We are also committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression and in 2021 we became signatories to the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Anti-Racism Charter.

Memberships

We are a member of Rape Crisis (England and Wales) and adhere to their occupational standards.

We are also members of, 

  • Women’s Resource Centre 

  • BACP

  • National Service Standards

  • Helpline Partnerships

  • Women’s Resource Centre

  • 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