Women’s experiences of our services

“From the moment you are called by CRCC, you immediately become part of a family. The only way I can describe it is a warm hug that, for a moment, alleviates the stress, anxiety and uncertainties you are feeling and facing. You are approached with such love and care, that it stands out a million miles from any other service.

I could say it’s unfortunate for us to have to know about CRCC and receive support from them. However, they were the light in the darkness for us.

My daughter was assigned a counsellor, who visited her weekly in school, and my daughter very much looked forward to her visits. They would conduct their sessions in art form, which my daughter found much easier to engage with and understand.

She liked that it was light and not so heavy, she was proud to show off her artwork at the end of the sessions and was upset when the visits came to an end but, at the end of it all, she was given tools and coping mechanisms to dig deep and try to emotionally regulate herself. Her counsellor had a profound impact on my daughter.

I was also fortunate enough to be put in touch with a wonderful counsellor, who was matched with me [taking into account] my previous bad experiences with therapy, she gave me so many tools and support networks to link in with through this whole journey.

She was a rock and safe place for me to project my darkest thoughts, to break down, to listen and not judge me. She just ‘’got me’’.

Our assigned ChISVA, I am convinced, is an angel in human form. From the moment I spoke to her, I knew my daughter was in the safest hands possible. And more than that, my baby knew she was safe too. She bonded with her and felt such a strong connection. We call her superwoman.

[Our ChISVA] explained to us what her role was, how she could help and support us and, my word, did she deliver on that. [Our ChISVA] became part of the family. She would visit my daughter in school regularly, bringing activities based on her interests and likes to encourage and promote her emotional wellbeing and change the narrative that she was a victim, but a survivor.

She gave my little girl the strength and her voice.

She supported us at the [police] interview, she stood by us through everything. She would be there at the drop of a hat if I had questions, if I needed someone to cry too, if I needed comfort and reassurance that I was doing the right things to support my baby. She linked us with other charities who gave us the funds to go on family days out, to try and bring some happiness to us as a family after everything we had been through.

I will never, ever have the words to express my gratitude, my love and admiration for this service and the beautiful humans who are involved. I could not, and I stand by this, have got through any of our journey over the year, without CRCC. They are worth their weight in gold and deserve the world for what they provide for families.

Through the darkest of times, my daughter and I met some of life’s heroes, who still have an effect on us to this day.”

“Sophie” – received support from our counselling service and her daughter received support from our counselling and ChISVA services

“For over 20 years I thought that what happened to me could be pushed to the back of my mind and forgotten about. That approach worked with varying levels of success for a long time. For various reasons it was becoming harder, memories wouldn’t stay subdued as easily.

Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre’s website gave me the feeling that there could be hope of feeling better, no matter how long ago the abuse happened, I was still important enough to deserve help.

I read the self help guide and printed it out so I could re-read sections easily. It was such a relief to read something that made so much sense, the feelings I was having and had previously felt were normal and I wasn’t alone.

One evening I decided to email the support service. I considered the phone line but really didn’t think that I would be able to physically say out loud the things I wanted and needed to say.

Sending that email was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am so grateful for the reply I received, it was amazing and really, I guess, life changing.

For the first time I felt listened to, I felt like every word I had written had been considered and replied to in a carefully thought out way. I felt understood and most importantly I didn’t feel alone anymore.

Taking that step and emailing CRCC has changed a lot for me. I’m not sure if I can ever really thank them enough.

I used to feel really alone with my memories and although they will always be there, I don’t have to be so alone with it anymore. They made me realise it is okay to need help and to ask for it and to receive it.”

“Beth” – received support from our email support service.

“When I finally got up the courage to tell the police what had happened to me as a child, the whirlwind of reporting happened. I told my story. What I had kept hidden away for years has been ripped out of me multiple times in what felt like the worst possible way.

I was lost, I didn’t really know what was going on. I felt incredibly low and when my doctor didn’t support me I was left feeling far worse. Nobody cared, I was alone and I hurt so much, how was I going to keep going?

Along came my ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advocate), a phone call that made me know I wasn’t alone. Support I didn’t even know existed was out there and all of a sudden I could keep going because I had a place to ask all the questions I had.

My court case took almost four years from reporting to sentencing. During that time my ISVA was amazing, she put my mind at rest with answers to all my questions. She helped me prepare for court and dealt with the last minute changes and problems.

My ISVA had taken me from ‘I can’t do this’ to ‘Someone cares and I can totally do this’.

On the day, my ISVA was completely invaluable. She stayed with me throughout the whole day and gave me amazing advice on self-care for after court. When the case ended she called me about next steps and other things that could potentially happen. She also arranging counselling sessions at Cambridge Rape Crisis (CRCC) for me.

About a month later, after sentencing had happened, we had a call where she officially signed me off. This was a very emotional call for me. It felt sad to say goodbye to someone who had supported me so much but amazing because it was like she was the official person who said “It’s okay, you did it, it’s all over and you can start your new life now”.

The support from CRCC’s advocacy service from start to finish was something that I really don’t have enough words to explain.

My ISVA was a guardian angel who was completely invaluable and made the whole process easier. I can honestly say that I would not have made it through my court case without her. The CRCC advocacy service is a vital service for survivors and I’m so thankful it’s one that was around when I needed it.”

“Amber” – received support from our advocacy service.

“When I first started therapy with Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC) I was feeling perpetually exhausted, depressed and highly anxious. Every day was a battle to even get out of bed, never mind get myself out of my front door to work or anywhere else.

I lived in a constant state of dazed fear. What happened to me was affecting the way I felt every day, even though I tried to pretend to myself that it wasn’t, because I didn’t want it to have that power. However, I knew I couldn’t carry on holding it all by myself, so I finally reached out for support.

I felt terrified before my first counselling session. However, as soon as I walked in I felt welcomed and less alone.

I am so glad that I took that huge courageous step through that front door. My life has changed dramatically since.

Sharing in a place where someone listened, cared and believed what I had to say was life-changing and empowering.

Counselling with CRCC gave me the strength to keep going, however hard it continued to be at times. It gave me a sense of hope and the encouragement I needed to move forward in my life. I have since re-trained in a job I love and have created a wonderful balance in my life. Now I know how to manage when things start to feel difficult and I know that I can always reach out to others for support now.

I can’t thank CRCC enough, it was the biggest stepping stone I have ever taken towards well-being and I hope many other are able to benefit and prosper from this wonderful service.”

“Sarah” – received support from our counselling service.