My vision for PARCS is to offer inclusive and diverse support for survivors and those affected by sexual violence or sexual/domestic abuse.
I joined PARCS at a time of transition, the organisation had recently merged with Family Action and the service was at an exciting crossroad; established as one of the best-known providers of support for survivors of sexual and domestic violence in the Portsmouth area, with the potential for growth and development under the new stewardship of Family Action.
I have a background in criminology, working with victims and survivors, exploitation and advocacy. As a dedicated and passionate advocate for people affected by sexual violence or sexual/domestic abuse, I was delighted to join the team at PARCS and start our journey together in this challenging and rewarding area of work.
Family Action believes a person’s life chances should not be determined by circumstance and so transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support for those who experience disadvantage. This chimes with my vision for PARCS, where we offer inclusive and diverse support for those affected by sexual violence or sexual/domestic abuse, through providing counselling, advocacy and activism in the safe space at our centre.
From our Portsmouth based centre I lead a dedicated team that provide specialist and trauma informed support, which aims to alleviate distress, and make feelings or experiences that can feel overwhelming, feel more manageable.
“Inclusive and diverse support for those affected by sexual violence or sexual/domestic abuse.”
We also see great value in working with community partners to set up more safer-spaces around the city of Portsmouth and other local areas.
PARCS started in grassroots feminism and today we recognise that as a feminist organisation, our feminism is inclusive and includes all genders, ages, ethnicities etc. Part of my vision for PARCS is to recognise the importance of the disruption work required within the violence against women and girls sector, and therefore my team and I are working in a multi-agency way to shift the culture and thinking around this – away from victim-focused and blaming, to shifting the spotlight on perpetrator behaviour, and how to utilise the power of bystanders to disrupt this.
I am excited to bring a fresh energy to PARCS, building on our existing specialist and skilled staff team, as well as introducing new roles and some innovative projects. If you would like to find out more about joining our team, please follow the link below where we are recruiting a range of new exciting roles from counsellors and volunteer coordinators, to outreach and education workers.
Find out more about working with our Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Crisis Service (PARCS) and the difference you can make to survivors and those affected by sexual/domestic abuse.
