Values and History

RCNI Principals and Ethos Statement

Rape Crisis Centres emerged from the women’s movement in the 1970s and a new, feminist analysis of sexual violence. Feminist analysis recognizes that rape, incest and child abuse are all acts of violence, involving abuse of power and control.

The analysis of power lies at the core of an RCC response to all forms of sexual violence. We recognise the abuse of power by the perpetrator, and the experience of complete loss of power by the victim.

We recognise sexual violence as a violation of human rights and we work from the conviction that women and girls, men and boys, have the right to live free of sexual violence and the threat of sexual violence.

We strive for the creation of a society that accepts responsibility for the eradication of all forms of sexual violence and violence against women. We seek to bring about social change which will end all forms of sexual violence.

The Values and Beliefs which inform our work include:

• Belief that by drawing on the experience, wisdom and power of survivors of sexual violence we can make a difference
• Commitment to building learning organizations that promote collective and democratic structures and working relationships which model positive, accountable uses of power
• Understanding that sexual violence is under-pinned and sustained by inequalities including gender inequality
• Commitment to striving for real and profound change, towards a society that embodies respect for human dignity and which challenges discrimination and inequalities.

Rape Crisis Centres

RCCs provide a safe environment where survivors of sexual violence come first. All staff and volunteers deeply understand both the realities of sexual violence and the impact of all forms of sexual violence. Survivors’ reactions are viewed as normal responses to trauma and to coping with the aftermath of trauma.

All staff and volunteers are trained in the reality and extent of sexual violence. In supporting survivors through helplines, advocacy, counselling, medical or legal processes, RCCs understand the need to maintain confidentiality.

The intention of RCCs is to return the control that was taken during any experience of sexual violence. This has been described as the survivor/recovery model. RCCs provide real choice to medical or diagnostic models often favoured by state agencies. In the RCC response the emphasis is on promoting well-being, the focus is growth rather than symptoms and defects. The survivors coping strategies are explored in terms of their usefulness.

The Survivor/Recovery Model

The returning of power and control informs our responses to those needing support. The women and men who have experienced crimes of sexual violence are not perceived as victims, they are survivors. The survivor is an active agent in their own recovery. They are not viewed as passive recipients of treatment. They are the experts in their recovery, they must have control and recovery must take place at their pace.

The survivor/recovery model sees traumatic systems as creative responses and adaptations to horrific events. The survivor/recovery model explores how the survivor survived creatively during trauma, or during repeated trauma, how s/he creatively survived afterwards given their life situation. It emphasizes the survivors’ resources and positive strengths.

The RCC approach emphasizes that support can only be effective within a relationship of safety, trust and collaboration. Collaboration can be seen to involve trusting in the survivors’ ability to heal him or herself.

Attention is given to issues of power throughout our work, including within support and counselling relationships. Empowering the survivor involves both the personal empowerment of the survivor in any contact s/he may have with the RCC and also the empowerment if the survivor within society. RCC response includes changing society towards greater equality.