SARAC is always striving to be inclusive. Anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, gender, age or disability who may need help can access support equally through our services. Abuse does not discriminate; anyone can fall victim to this.

In efforts to be a charity for everyone, it is important that, at SARAC, we understand how different people may be disproportionally affected by sexual violence. For black and mixed raced women, there is a higher risk of being sexually assaulted. With this in mind, SARAC is open to conversations about how we can support minorities and educate more on how they are impacted.

End Violence Against Women (EVAW for short) is said to be a leading coalition of more than 120 specialist women’s support services who are working to end violence against women and girls in all its forms. They campaign to prevent violence, challenging attitudes that collude or enable abuse. EVAW has written a report titled ‘Violence against Women and Girls Snapshot report 2021-2’. This report draws upon the Office for National Statistics (ONS) who highlight sexual violence disproportionately affects those from marginalised groups. It was indicated: Black and mixed raced female adults were more likely to experience sexual assault than white or Asian adults. “Mixed raced adults were most likely (3.62%), followed by Black adults (2.89%), compared to white (2.03%) and Asian adults (1.3%).” (EVAW, 2021:9).

As October is Black History month, we want to update you on the work SARAC has been involved in. Joc, SARAC’s Equality and Diversity Project Officer, recently collaborated on a project with Staffordshire University. The project explored the barriers that could discourage ethnically diverse communities from accessing support if affected by sexual violence. Please see the link below, find the first 4 videos which outline some barriers which were identified from talking to survivors from ethnically diverse people which is spoken about by actors: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT6IlPkT2YVXQf6_N-ZGHvw/videos 

To hear from real voices, SARAC has been holding focus groups to explore inequalities faced within the black community, specifically the combination of sexism and racism in everyday lived experiences. From these open discussions, we can understand how best to bring about changes to further improve support offered to those who need us. Furthermore, we are hoping to work collaboratively with the Burton Caribbean Association and be active within their Black history month talks, events, and celebrations.

To speak to Joc about the work we are doing and how you may collaborate with us on similar projects please email Joc at: projectofficer@sarac.org.uk