RASASH

Who we are

R(a)pe and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH) is an independent charity based in Inverness. We are a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (our charity number is SC045019).

We are a member of the R(a)pe Crisis Scotland network and deliver our services in line with the R(a)pe Crisis National Service Standards.

RASASH was established in 2014 to:

• Provide free, confidential, and specialist support, information, and advocacy to people affected by sexual violence across Highland;
• Help prevent and ultimately eliminate sexual violence within our community;
• Work in partnership to improve the way society and services respond to survivors of sexual violence.

What we do

RASASH provides free, confidential support and information to anyone affected by sexual violence in Highland (age 13+). This includes survivors of sexual violence and their non-abusing partners, friends, and families. We support all genders – women, men, non-binary, trans and gender non-conforming, while recognising that sexual violence disproportionally affects women and girls. For women and girls, we can offer women-only appointment times. Currently our women-only appointment times are on Monday mornings.

We also develop and deliver training and workshops to schools, youth groups, and professionals on a range of topics related to sexual violence and gender equality. This, alongside our youth-led campaigning, is part of our work to change societal attitudes which contribute to sexual violence and the shaming of survivors.

RASASH is the only specialist sexual violence service in the Highland Council. Our service is women-led and trauma-informed.

What we believe

Our vision is a society free from all forms of sexual violence.

Our mission is to work towards the prevention and elimination of sexual violence in Highland and support the wellbeing of those affected by it.

We understand sexual violence as a cause and consequence of gender inequality. We are proud to call ourselves an intersectional-feminist organisation and these values underpin all of the work we do. We believe that:

• Inclusive: Anyone affected by sexual violence should have access to free, confidential, and specialist support.
• Empower: Survivors are experts in their own experience and our role is to support them to exercise control in their own lives.
• Activist: Sexual violence is preventable. Everyone has a role to play in challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours that enable it to occur.
• Collaborative: through partnership, we can improve the way society responds to and supports survivors of sexual violence.

Our service is open to all survivors – irrespective of their gender, when it happened, or what happened. We are trans-inclusive and pro-choice.