The first Rape Crisis Centre opened in 1973. Since then, Rape Crisis Centres have been providing frontline, specialised, independent and confidential support services for women and girls of all ages who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.
Rape Crisis Centres offer a range of support, advocacy, counselling and information in a women-only safe space. Some Centres also provide support services to men and boys but these are delivered separately from their provision for women and girls.
All Rape Crisis Centres are autonomous organisations, independent from the police, criminal justice system, health or any other statutory agencies. They are women-led and women-centred.