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GRASAC At Gloucestershire R**e and Sexual Abuse Centre we provide confidential and non-judgemental support for all survivors of sexual violence.

Maya Angelou was a poet, writer, memoirist and civil rights activist whose words have inspired generations.Her writing e...
12/10/2026

Maya Angelou was a poet, writer, memoirist and civil rights activist whose words have inspired generations.

Her writing explored racism, identity, womanhood, resilience, love and the power of the human spirit.

Few lines are as recognisable as:

“Still I Rise.”

Four words that have come to represent resilience and refusing to be defined by the forces that try to hold us down.

But resilience doesn't mean that difficult experiences don't affect us.

It doesn't mean we should have to cope alone.

And it doesn't mean we have to “bounce back”.

Sometimes resilience can simply mean taking the next step.

Sometimes it means asking for help.

Sometimes it means resting.

There is no single way to heal or move forward.

Mental health can be affected by many things - including experiences of sexual violence and abuse.For some survivors, th...
10/10/2026

Mental health can be affected by many things - including experiences of sexual violence and abuse.

For some survivors, the impact of trauma can continue long after the abuse has ended. It can affect how we feel, how we see ourselves, our relationships, our sense of safety and our ability to cope day to day.

At GRASAC, we believe survivors deserve to be listened to, believed and supported without judgement.

We know that healing doesn't look the same for everyone. There is no right way to recover, and no timeline that survivors have to follow.

Our work is about creating spaces where survivors can feel heard, regain choice and build towards recovery in ways that work for them.

💚 You deserve support.
You deserve to be heard.
You deserve to be believed.

Today, and every day, we stand alongside survivors.

Honouring Doreen LawrenceDoreen Lawrence was born in Jamaica in 1952 and moved with her family to south-east London when...
08/10/2026

Honouring Doreen Lawrence

Doreen Lawrence was born in Jamaica in 1952 and moved with her family to south-east London when she was nine.

In 1993, her life - and the lives of her family - changed forever when her 18-year-old son, Stephen Lawrence, was murdered in a racist attack in south-east London.

Doreen and Stephen’s father, Neville, campaigned for justice for their son and challenged the handling of the investigation.

Their campaigning contributed to the establishment of the public inquiry into Stephen’s death. The 1999 Macpherson Report concluded that the Metropolitan Police was institutionally racist - a finding that had profound implications for policing, race and justice in Britain.

Doreen’s work did not end with the inquiry.

In 1998, she and Neville founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, creating opportunities for young people and carrying forward Stephen’s legacy. Doreen later established the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, with Stephen Lawrence Day held each year on 22 April to remember Stephen and raise awareness of racial inequality.

Her story is not simply one of tragedy or resilience.

It is also a story of a mother seeking justice for her son, a woman challenging institutions, and a campaigner continuing to work for equality and inclusion.

This Black History Month, we honour Doreen Lawrence - and remember Stephen Lawrence, whose life, aspirations and legacy remain at the heart of her work.

This week, our Phoenix group for girls aged 14–16 met for the very first time. 💜We wanted to take a moment to say a huge...
08/10/2026

This week, our Phoenix group for girls aged 14–16 met for the very first time. 💜

We wanted to take a moment to say a huge thank you to everyone who bought something from our Phoenix wishlist.

Because of your generosity, we were able to start the group with tables full of art materials, creative activities, self care items and plenty of hot chocolate with all the good stuff on top. ☕️✨

Creating a warm, welcoming and comfortable space is so important to our work. Phoenix is a place where young people affected by sexual violence can come together, be themselves, build confidence and explore ways of moving forward at their own pace.

Every item donated helped us create that space.

Thank you for helping us make week one special. 💜

Phoenix has only just begun, and we’re so grateful to have your support alongside us.

Toni Morrison is remembered as one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century: Her novels explored Black i...
05/10/2026

Toni Morrison is remembered as one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century:

Her novels explored Black identity, history, memory, family and the experiences of Black women in America. She was also an editor who helped bring the voices of other Black writers to a wider audience.

This quote feels particularly powerful:

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”

It's a reminder of the importance of representation - and of creating space for stories that haven't always been heard.

At GRASAC, survivor voice is central to our work.

We believe survivors should have opportunities to influence the services they receive and the conversations around sexual violence.

But having a voice doesn't mean having to tell your story publicly.

Your story belongs to you.

You decide if, when, where and how you share it.

02/10/2026

Honouring Sabrina Qureshi

Sabrina Qureshi is the founder and coordinator of Million Women Rise - a movement led and organised by Black women for all women, working to end men’s violence against women and girls.

Million Women Rise recognises that violence does not exist in isolation. Systems of oppression are interconnected, and experiences of violence can be shaped by racism, misogyny, misogynoir, ableism and other forms of discrimination.

Their work creates space for women to come together in sisterhood, solidarity, unity and upliftment - to raise their voices, stand together, celebrate difference and diversity, and support one another.

For us at GRASAC, that connects strongly with the importance of collective voice and survivor empowerment.

We don't have to create change alone.

There is power in coming together, listening to different experiences and making space for every woman to be heard.

This Black History Month, we honour women who continue to organise, challenge and create change.

As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Girls, walk with us as we come together to reclaim...
02/10/2026

As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Girls, walk with us as we come together to reclaim our streets, raise our voices and stand in solidarity with survivors of r**e and sexual abuse.

Reclaim the Night is being organised in partnership by Gloucestershire R**e and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC) and Forest of Dean District Council.

Reclaim the Night is a powerful opportunity for our community to say enough is enough. Everyone deserves to feel safe walking home, going out, or simply existing in public spaces without fear of sexual violence.

💜 Everyone is welcome. Whether you are a survivor, an ally, a friend, a family member, a supporter or simply someone who believes in a world free from sexual violence, we want you to join us.

***PHOTOGRAPHY AND LIVE-STREAMING -This is a survivor-centred event, and we ask everyone attending to help us create a space where survivors feel safe and supported. Please be mindful that some survivors may not wish to be photographed or filmed. Always seek consent before photographing or filming others, and please do not livestream participants without their explicit consent.***

📍 Cinderford Town Centre – The Triangle
📅 Friday 27th November 2026
⏰ 6–8.30pm

More info: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/communities-health-and-leisure/community-safety/reclaim-the-night/

Together, we reclaim the night. 💜

Changes to prison release arrangements came into effect on 1 October.The new Progression Model means some people serving...
02/10/2026

Changes to prison release arrangements came into effect on 1 October.

The new Progression Model means some people serving fixed-term prison sentences may be released earlier than under previous arrangements, with supervision in the community.

Importantly, r**e, serious child sexual offences and grooming offences have been excluded from these changes. However, a person’s release date can still be affected where they are serving sentences for more than one offence.

For survivors, hearing that someone who has harmed you may be released can bring up difficult and unexpected feelings — including fear, anxiety, anger, uncertainty or memories of what happened.

You do not have to justify how you feel.

If you are affected by an offender's release, you may be able to receive information about their release date and licence conditions through the Victim Contact Scheme. You can also make representations about conditions that could help protect you.

Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-guide-for-victims-about-the-changes-to-prison-release-arrangements

From 1 October, new measures also allow probation services to impose restrictions on where some serious sexual and violent offenders can go, alongside GPS monitoring and other licence conditions.

Most importantly: your safety and wellbeing matter.

If you need specialist support following sexual violence or abuse, GRASAC is here to listen, believe and support you.

You are not alone.

R**e Crisis England and Wales 24/7 helpline: 0808 500 2222
www.glosrasac.org.uk

This October, we’re taking time to honour Black women whose voices, work and actions have helped challenge injustice, cr...
01/10/2026

This October, we’re taking time to honour Black women whose voices, work and actions have helped challenge injustice, create change and make space for others.

Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing stories of Black writers, campaigners, activists and women working to create change - including women whose work connects with recovery, equality, safety, justice and sexual violence.

We’re not celebrating people simply because they have experienced hardship. We’re recognising what they have created, challenged, changed and contributed.

We’ll be sharing their words, their work and the things they have stood for - while recognising that no single woman can represent every Black experience.

This Black History Month, we’re listening, learning and honouring.

💜 Thank you for following our NFS awareness series.Over the past two weeks, we’ve been sharing information about non-fat...
29/09/2026

💜 Thank you for following our NFS awareness series.

Over the past two weeks, we’ve been sharing information about non-fatal strangulation (NFS) — including what it is, the potential physical and psychological impacts, and why it is important to recognise and respond to it.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read, learn, share our posts and have conversations about NFS.

We know that some of the information we've shared may have been difficult to read, particularly for survivors who have experienced strangulation themselves. Please be gentle with yourself and take some time for whatever support and self-care you need.

And if you take one thing from this series, let it be this:

Strangulation is serious.
Survivors deserve to be believed.
Support is available.

Thank you for helping us keep the conversation going. 💜





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Gloucester

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441452305421

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