Violence Against Women – Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre

At our meeting in early July Mary, chair of the management committee of Cambridge Rape Crisis, updated us on the progress of the Centre and answered our questions. It then gave me great pleasure to present a cheque for £1,525 to the Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre. This was the culmination of all the hard work undertaken by Club Members over the last year to fundraise for my President’s charity.

During the year the Centre’s activities have stabilised and expanded. The phone line service is open for more hours, and is soon to be augmented by a trial of face to face counselling. During this time of widespread cutbacks, a substantial sum of Government money has been ring-fenced for Rape Crisis Centres which has enabled Cambridge to employ an outreach worker, and an officer to support the volunteers. Money raised by SI Cambridge will be used towards the comprehensive training programme which is essential for all new volunteers.

On reflection, I think that this has been a good time for SI Cambridge to become involved with an organisation which has the same aim as Soroptimism at heart; women helping other women, and sadly some young girls too, to survive their traumas and make the most of their lives. Thank you to all who supported my President’s charity.

Jenny Grech Immediate Past President